‘I am BLESSED!’
VCB thankful after setbacks in 2017
GLEANER ICONIC Award winner for 2017, Veronica Campbell-Brown, said that although everything did not go as planned for her last year, she still considers herself blessed for all she has achieved.
The veteran sprinter claimed the award at Friday night’s RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew.
She said that she appreciates the support she has received over the years from the Jamaican public.
“I am blessed to have great Jamaican supporters who have been with me over the years and who appreciate all the things that I have done, not only for myself, but also for my country,” she said.
When asked what she made of 2017, Campbell-Brown responded: “I normally go based on performances. [The year] 2017 was not what I expected. I had some setbacks but nevertheless, I’m grateful that I was able to finish in the top five on the IAAF list for 2017, so that’s a blessing.”
Campbell-Brown was in tears while watching the video montage that played before she was called up on stage to collect her award. The video explained, among other facts, that no sprinter has earned more medals than her throughout her career.
“Jamaica has such rich history, and to contribute to it is awesome,” she said. “I’m truly blessed and was moved to tears when I reflected on all the blessing God has bestowed on me. I’m just overwhelmed, honoured and very grateful.”
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
The Olympian said that in light of recent hard times affecting Jamaica, young girls can look to her achievements as motivation to overcome difficulties in their lives, and replicate her successes.
“The first thing is to believe in yourself,” Campbell-Brown explained. “It doesn’t matter where you come from or your current state of being. The bottom line is, if you believe in yourself, that you can be successful, you can. So have a plan and then start working towards that plan. Do not be discouraged by what is going on around you.
“We live in a world where we’re gonna have a lot of challenges, but we can always overcome our challenges, and when we do, we become better people. I would encourage every young woman to believe in themselves, work hard and become something successful and inspire other young women to be a success in the world. You can do it.”
‘I’m truly blessed and was moved to tears when I reflected on all the blessing God has bestowed on me. I’m just overwhelmed, honoured and very grateful.’