Clive Pullen – First Jamaican Man Since 1972 to Qualify For the Olympics in the Triple Jump
21-year-old Clive Pullen has etched his name the history books after becoming the first Jamaican man since 1972 to qualify for the Olympic games in the triple jump.
His historic achievement came after producing a spectacular personal best of 16.90m in the event at the Jamaica Olympic Trials National Senior Championships on Thursday.
Lennox Burgher (in 1968) and Henry Jackson (in 1972) are the only males athletes that have ever represented Jamaica at the Olympics in the triple jump.
On Day 1 of the Jamaica Olympic Trials National Senior Championships, Pullen impressed when he cleared the Olympic qualifying mark of 16.85m.
In an interview with The Gleaner, the accomplished, former Kingston College student described his most recent feat as the realisation of a lifelong dream.
“I am indeed overwhelmed as my dream is to compete at the Olympics as this is the greatest sporting show on Earth, and I must thank God as this was His doing,” stated Pullen.
Just a few weeks prior to his historic achievement, Pullen fouled on all his attempts while competing at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships, finishing in last place.
A result which understandably placed a damper on his spirits. However, that setback seemingly served to motivate the talented youngster:
“It has been a great season for me, a little up and down sometimes, and I was really devastated at the NCAA Championships, knowing that I had let down my team, and I also wanted to make the Olympic qualifying mark, but possibly it was divine intervention as it was for me to qualify before my home crowd on home soil in Jamaica,” he stated.
“It’s all about the coach’s decision now. I am going back to the drawing board and fine-tuning and saving for the best as I could have done my two remaining jumps, but I am saving it for Rio,” Pullen also stated.
C. Pullen @JrWill23jr flight 2 Rio! Shouts to @MatClarkansas @ColeWPeterson & many others helping him along the way! pic.twitter.com/Ok3MbYofEP
— Coach Geopfert (@TrackTravis) July 1, 2016
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