The Olympic qualifying standard in the men’s javelin is 85 metres. This is the mark Shakeil Waithe had on his radar, going into the 2020 season. The Covid-19 pandemic, however, forced postponement of the Olympic Games to 2021. Waithe has made the adjustment.

“My goal for this year,” the 25-year-old thrower told the Express, “was to get over the 85-metre mark and qualify for the Olympics. It’s basically the same for next year, and to win major competitions outside of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Waithe is second on the all-time T&T men’s javelin performance list. Just one man, 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott is ahead of him. But while Walcott is 19th on the global all-time list with a national record distance of 90.16m, Waithe is 388th at 79.90.

Waithe’s personal best is more than five metres outside the Olympic qualifying distance. The Tobago athlete is convinced that postponement of the Tokyo Games will work in his favour in his bid to make up the deficit.

“It gave me a lot more time to prepare and improve many different areas in my training, so it’s something I’m thankful for.”

Covid-19 restrictions created challenges for Waithe.

“For that period a lot of things changed. I had to use home equipment and body exercises just to maintain until things were back to normal. It wasn’t the best, but definitely worth it.”

With the easing of restrictions, recently, the 2014 Carifta Games boys’ under-20 champion has been able to do more in training.

“Using different fields here in Tobago was allowed, and that helped a lot.”

In May, the National Association of Athletics Administrations of T&T (NAAATT) cancelled the remainder of the track and field season. With no upcoming opportunities to compete on local soil, Waithe has set his sights beyond 2020.

“Unfortunately, I’m not competing for the rest of the year. I will be focusing and currently working towards 2021.”

In September, Waithe will make the short journey from Tobago to Trinidad to continue his preparations under the guidance of Cuban coach Ismael Lopez Mastrapa.