'Goal for gold'

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Spencer aims to change medal-less trend at next World Champs

She won her third 400m hurdles IAAF Diamond League title earlier this year and received a set of diamond earrings from sponsors Facey Commodity yesterday afternoon. But after once again missing out on a medal at the London Olympic Games, Kaliese Spencer has rejected criticism around her returns at major championships.

Spencer, who was dubbed 'Diamond Girl' by executive deputy chairman, Patrick Scott, and was a special guest of the management and staff of Facey Commodity yesterday, has been a constant front-runner on the European circuit, winning the lucrative IAAF Diamond League series on three occasions.

Despite her dominance on the circuit, however, Spencer - a gold medallist at the 2006 IAAF World Junior Championships - is yet to win her first senior championship medal. She finished fourth at the 2009 and 2011 IAAF World Championships, as well as the Olympic Games in London.

Sights set on Moscow

Spencer is, however, not perturbed by the lack of a senior championships medal among her achievements, emphasising her determination and underlining that her focus is to keep working hard with the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow squarely in her sights.

"I am the same person running against the same people. Sometimes it's just a bad day, but I will never give up, I will get back to the drawing board and work hard as usual," Spencer told The Gleaner. "I'm always a determined person who never gives up until I get my goal, and the goal for me next year is to get the gold medal, so God's willing, I will get that."

She added: "It was a good season overall; even though I didn't get a medal in London I came fourth and I really can't complain.

"I'm a third-time Diamond League champion, so I am very happy about that and working towards the World Championships next year," said Spencer.

Continuing about her Olympic finish, Spencer said: "It wasn't really a disappointment, it just wasn't meant to be. I worked hard and trained hard it just wasn't to be.

"Being the Diamond League champion is still a title for me, so I'm just working hard and, hopefully, next season I'll get a championship medal," she added, before noting that winning the Diamond League and getting a wild card for next year's Worlds will help her to focus on qualifying for the 4x400m relay team.

"That's exactly what I thought about (wild card) when I crossed the line. I said that I didn't have to run the 400m hurdles (at trials), so I'll be going for the 400m to make a spot on the 4x400m," Spencer said.

Spencer, who has been the brand ambassador for Facey flagship product EVE for little over a year, was given a pair of diamond earrings by director Melaine Subarite, as a gift for her successes this season.

"Since I have been ambassador for this brand a lot of people have come to know me. I have a great relationship with them, we speak a lot, I am very close to them and it's a honour and a privilege," said Spencer.

Scott was extremely happy to have Spencer on board.

"We are extremely proud to have her as a part of the Facey family and as an ambassador for our premier brand EVE," said Scott.

"She has done a remarkable job in being on the team since she joined us just over a year ago, and we can only be proud of her achievements internationally and also nationally. Kaliese is a diamond and this is what Jamaica needs, more diamonds for our future."