Broadbell ready to make the most of Paris chance

PARIS, FRANCE: While not at full strength yet, national 110-metre hurdles champion Rasheed Broadbell feels that he is close to tapping into his powers to make a run at the Olympic title.

Broadbell was speaking today after training concluded at the Complexe sportif de l'île des Vannes in Saint Denis, France.

His road to his first Olympics hasn't been without strife as he fought his way back from injury and defended the national title in a final that came down to the wire.

Broadbell is satisfied with his progress and believes he is making headway in getting to full shape.
 
“I can't really tell because I wasn't going maxed out. But today I would say that I am about 80 per cent of my full potential because I am still taking precautions. But I am feeling healthy,” Broadbell said.

Acknowledging a need to improve his starts, Broadbell is balancing that with ensuring that his health remains in tact

“The start has not really been how I want it to be. But being that I had the niggles so I didn't get to be as explosive as I want to be,” Broadbell said.

His Olympic dream has been made more poignant given how injury prevented him from making the Tokyo Olympic team three years ago.

Now he is determined to make the most of his chance after earning his ticket to Paris.

“At the national trials I was fifth in the race [before I pulled through]. So I feel like in this moment that I am supposed to be here. And know I will use this opportunity and go all out. I have never ran a race like that, full out. I felt like that race given where I was, I ran straight through the line and did what I was supposed to do,” Broadbell said.

- Daniel Wheeler

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