XIAMEN, China – Former World and Olympic champion, Kirani James, says he is focused on progressive improvement with next year’s Paris Olympics in mind, after capturing the 400 meters at the Xiamen Diamond League.
Grenadian Kirani James.The 31-year-old Grenadian raced to a season-best 44.38 seconds to also establish a new meet record at the Egret Stadium last weekend, beating American Quincy Hall (44.38) into second, with Jamaican Rusheen McDonald (44.82) finishing third.
James endured a disappointing campaign at the World Championships which ended last week in Budapest when he could only finish fifth in the final won by Jamaican Antonio Watson.
“I am feeling good, feeling very excited,” said James, a World champion in 2011 before becoming Olympic champion a year later.
“[I am] very grateful for the opportunity and love and support. I knew I was capable of winning, I just come out here to execute and do my best.
“I am excited with this [season best]. I feel it is well deserved. I have been putting in so much work. I came from the World Championships [where] I knew I was able to get a medal and win it too.
“I feel like ‘just be myself, come to this meeting with no question.’ I just came here to execute what I am capable of, I am ready to do that.”
James has medaled at every Olympic Games since his London conquest, producing silver in Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020.
In the twilight of a heavily decorated career, James said focus would be critical in the buildup to the Paris showpiece.
“For this season, there has been ups and downs but that’s the nature of sports. It is about sticking it out, keep executing, stay at it and be there in.
“It is the Olympic Games next year, I just want to keep getting better. Everybody wants to win.
“The gold is everybody’s dream. Go home with a medal that’s everybody’s dream. I am so happy to have the opportunity to go there and I will make the best of it.”
Last weekend here, there was also success for Rushell Clayton – a bronze medalist in Budapest – as she led a Jamaican podium sweep of the women’s 400 meters hurdles in a time of 53.56.
Andrenette Knight (53.87) and Janieve Russell (54.01) completed the podium spots.
