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PARIS, France — Jamaican long jump star Chanice Porter has decided to retire after a strong eighth-place finish in the women’s long jump qualifying competition for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 30-year-old, a former world junior champion and NACAC Championships bronze medallist, announced the news at Tuesday’s competition at the Stade de France when she jumped 6.48m in the A group.
Porter, who has been a prominent figure in Jamaican athletics for more than a decade, expressed mixed emotions as she reflected on her final race and her career as a whole. Despite a recent ankle injury, Porter continues to excel on the world stage, but she acknowledged that it is time to move on to the next chapter in her life.
“It was a good race for me,” Porter said, reflecting on his performance. “I was coming off an ankle injury, so to run 6.48 was great. I felt good, to be honest – I thought I had potential, but 6.48? I can’t complain.”
Bone bruise
Porter’s trip to Paris was challenging. A bone bruise in her ankle kept her out of practice for two weeks, disrupting her training schedule, making her comeback all the more remarkable. “I was out of practice for two weeks because of the bone bruise, which was a bit of a setback. But now that I’m back on the court, I’m happy to have the performance I did,” she said.
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After a series of jumps that included a best of 6.48m, a second attempt of 6.21m and a foul on the last try, Porter remained optimistic about her performance, although she admitted it wasn’t everything she had hoped for. “It wasn’t bad. My best jump was 6.48m and I think I fouled on the last one, but it wasn’t bad,” she noted.
When asked if she was satisfied with her overall performance, Porter responded with characteristic humility. “I wouldn’t say satisfied, but I’m glad I finished without any injuries,” she said.
The most pivotal moment in the interview came when Porter announced that she was calling it quits — not just for this season, but for her entire career. “I’m done — my career is over for this year, my career is over forever. I’m retiring. I’m 30; I’m done,” Porter announced.
The ankle can hardly hold up
Porter stressed that the decision was the right one, especially considering her ongoing ankle issues. “I was ready for it to be over. My ankle was barely holding up, so it was time. You know when you know. I was ready to try something new,” she said.
After retiring from competitive sports, Chanice Porter is already looking forward to her next challenge – going back to school to get her MBA. “It’s great, but track and field is a very ungrateful sport, to be honest. For me, I’m happy to be here today. I’m 30 years old and still competing, so I’m happy.”
From her early years as a world junior champion to her continued performances at international level, Porter’s career has been marked by many stellar achievements. As she enters a new phase in her life, her legacy as one of Jamaica’s long jump stars will continue to inspire future generations.
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