Levern Spencer has been among the world’s best high jumpers for most of the past decade. The St Lucian record-holder took time out of her busy training and competition schedule to answer our first impressions questions.
FIRST HIGH JUMP COMPETITION
It came aged 14 during an inter-house competition at high school when I managed to break the St Lucian record with a jump of 1.69m. I’m not too sure what the St Lucian record was at the time, but I was pretty surprised to break the record. I had a talent for all sports and many different athletics events.
FIRST SPORT
Track and field is very big in the Caribbean so athletics was the first sport I did in elementary school. I started life as a sprinter. I also played cricket, volleyball and netball for my church.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
It came at the 1999 Carifta Games in Martinique. It was a great feeling and a great thrill to make the team and it was so exciting to get on a plane and compete for my country.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the best memories of the competition. I twisted my ankle before the competition, but I still flew out to compete. I finished 10th with a best of 1.55m.
