Jamaica’s 2008 Olympic Games 100m silver medallist Kerron Stewart, is set to retire at the end of the 2018 season.
Stewart, who last Saturday helped Jamaica win the women’s 4x100m relay over the USA at Philadelphia’s Penn Relays, told Trackalerts.com in a exclusive interview: “This is my last year.”
After running a brilliant second leg for Jamaica to take victory in 43.14, she shared, “I got what I wanted, I got the win, it’s the icing on the cake for me.”
Stewart, a former St. Jago star, will be ending an illustrious career after winning over 22 track and field medals at all levels, including the Olympic Games and the IAAF World Championships, since 2000.
“This is my last year in Jamaican colors. Putting on any spikes period, this is my last year,” said the 34-year-old.
The highlight of Stewart’s career came when she won silver both at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the IAAF World Championships in Berlin 2009.
She also helped Jamaica to three World Championships gold medals in the 4x100m in Berlin 2009, Moscow 2013 and Beijing 2015.
At the Olympic level, her 4x100m teams won silver in London 2012 and bronze in Beijing 2008.
Stewart said after competing she will turn her attention to coaching, which was always her “greatest passion”.
“I never wanted to run. I always wanted to coach, but I believe sometimes to master something you have to endure it and go through it, just to know what it feels like and for me thats going to help me as a coach,” she explained.
Stewart, who won silver medals with Jamaica’s 4x100m teams at Osaka 2007 and Daegu 2011 World Championships, also plans to “mentor young athletes.”
“I (she said of young athletes) think they’ll profit from my experience and the love I’m willing to put into the sport, because I think love is lacking in track and field,” added Stewart, who won gold on Jamaica’s 4x100m team at the Kingston 2002 World Junior Championships.
Stewart, the 2000 Carifta Games Under-17 100m champion, has a level one coaching certificate.
“I am not just an athlete who wants to coach, I want to be the best coach out there,” she said.
As for the 2018 season, what is her main aim? “Its always to run fast and to be competitive,” she said.