Aug. 26, 2008

In mid-July, rising senior Mikel Thomas received official correspondence from the National Amateur Athletic Association of Trinidad and Tobago notifying him of his selection to the island nation’s 2008 Olympic Track and Field Team. He will compete in 110m hurdles at the Games.

Leading up to and during the 2008 Beijing Games, Thomas will periodically submit entries from his world travels and provide personal insights on his first Olympic experience.

» MONDAY | AUGUST 18, 2008


I must thank my Lord for the blessings. The first round was a success. I made it to the next round. Even though I ran a good time, I know I have room for improvement. It felt good but I hit the last few hurdles and almost fell across the line, but I still live to see another day.

Going into the race I felt calm and ready. It feels good to know that I’m prepared to compete among the best in the world even at my height. I’m out there racing giants and I’m feeling like David. I know my heart is as big as theirs, if not bigger.

I get another chance tomorrow night in the quarterfinals. I’m going in with the same mind frame plus additional confidence. I love it!

» SUNDAY | AUGUST 17, 2008


It’s the day before. The day before my dream becomes a reality. The day I’ve been training for since I saw my first Olympic games. Yet I feel like the day has been waiting for me.

I know how big and important this is, yet I’m eager and feel in my heart like I can do no wrong. All that I went through this year I feel has prepared me for almost anything, as long as I run my 10 hurdles. With all of the support I have received, I feel like I’m not going in there alone. It’s not really pressure, more like back-up: my nation, its people and culture, my university and its community, my family and friends, and everything in between.

By this time tomorrow, I will not be the same. I’ll go out there and represent every one and every thing that I stand for, to the best of my ability. I don’t know how else to say it but I’m ready.

Pray for Jose and me as he begins competition in his 200 rounds as well, and that Tuck’s voice lasts because you know China will be introduced to his trademark call “MOVE” -hopefully for more than a day. All of the honor and glory goes to the most high.

‘Til the battle is won!

Thank you all for reading.

» FRIDAY | AUGUST 15, 2008


Sorry again for the delay between posts, but since arriving at the village it’s been busy. Between getting settled and practice there are not enough hours in the day to do all that you want and still get the rest your body needs.

Practice has been good. It’s been a while since I was able to warm up with a teammate and get coaching advice. You can’t imagine the difference that it makes, especially at this level. I’m feeling good both mental and physically.

It’s a different feel than an NCAA meet. There is an excitement that builds and you distrust any fear. Plus with practice going well it helps build moral and mental preparedness. I’ve never felt like this before. I feel I can only go forward, no matter what.

The medical staff with the Trinidad team has also been going a good job of keeping me together. Again this is a blessing but by no means am I here for just the experience. The goal is to take it to the limit every time I step on the track.

I want gold as much as the world record holder. (I ran into him in the cafe and think I can take him … lol). I thought he was much taller. The competition is only as big and bad as you make them in your mind. It’s weird, I see all of these stars walking around the village and I realize they’re not that different from me. Most of my competitors may be taller than me, but I bet I have a bigger heart than most.

» THURSDAY| AUGUST 7, 2008


It’s been a while since I last posted an entry, but a lot has happened. After arriving in Finland I trained and prepared for a tune-up meet that I used to judge where I’m at in my preparation.

Finland is rather cold in the summer. I am native of a Caribbean island and it gets pretty hot in Lexington, so a high of 65 degrees in August is cold to me. But it’s been a great Finnish summer I was told.

The meet went well. I competed in two rounds of the 110m hurdles. In the first round I ran 13.8, in the final I finished at 13.7. That’s not bad for the weather and the fact I’ve been competing since January. I’ve consistently been consistent around 13.7 for a while now and I know what 13.5 feels like, so I’m ready to drop my time and I aim to do it in Beijing with the Lord’s blessings.

The day after the meet, the Olympic team and I headed for Beijing, but not without a little sightseeing. Helsinki is a nice city. It has a lot of history and interesting sights. It hosted the 2005 World Champs and the Olympics in 1952.

We flew from Helsinki to London and then on to Beijing. It was about a nine hour flight and I slept most of the way. It is a 12-hour difference from the U.S. Eastern time zone.

I must say that China can definitely put on a show. We were greeted at the airport by the Beijing Olympic mascots and were able to use our credentials as a VIP pass to special lines and it served as our visa to the country.

The athlete village was amazing and the best part – everything is free! (well, at least to eat) I know this could be a problem but imagine fast food restaurants open 24/7 for free. Flags of nations are everywhere and there’s a sense of pride as you walk the streets in your nation’s gear.

I am one of a selected few and it was the first time I felt like I was at the Olympics and seeing a dream come true. The team was just in Beijing for one day to drop off our major luggage and then we set off to Daegu, South Korea. I believe the purpose of our move is to avoid the infamous Beijing smog as long as possible. I don’t really mind it because I have never been to South Korea before. But we will be missing the opening ceremonies.

We were again greeted in the airport but this time by some Daegu reps and organizers. It was very nice and they did a great job of making us feel wanted and like “somebody”. Daegu is a lovely city with friendly, curious people, many of whom I doubt have ever seen a black person or an Olympian. It feels nice to say that and until now I never used the word on myself.

I’d like everyone to understand that this is a dream come true. This is the highest and biggest event in a track athlete’s career. There were people ranked in the top ten in the world in their events and don’t even have a ticket to watch the meet in the stands. I have been blessed to live a childhood dream: the honor to represent my native land, its people and culture. I have to give all the honor and glory to my Lord for making this happen and to all of those who stuck by me when people said I was too short or inexperienced – or anything else that was blocking me from being in this position. Thank you all! I will do my best to make everyone back home and in the States proud.

» FRIDAY | JULY 25, 2008


I will be running a meet before the Olympic Games and visiting a few other countries leading up to them so this should make an interesting read.

Before heading to the Olympic Games, the Trinidad and Tobago team chose to go on a European tour to take part in a few meets to keep in top competitive shape. After the Central America and Caribbean Championships in Colombia the team headed out on tour which I recently joined in Finland.

It took around 24 hours of traveling to reach Finland. The first day was rough and my body was done, so I rested the rest of the day … and most of the next. In Finland it never gets dark this time of year, so sleep can be confusing. It is also tough when I wake around 6:00 a.m. and my body thinks it is 11:00 p.m. Other than that it’s a blessing to tour Europe with the team and I look forward to each day of the adventure.

Visit the Wildcat Olympians section for more Olympic Games coverage.