Photo: Shasha Lee Forbes is all smiles after making the Jamaican Olympic team to Brazil.
Shasha Lee Forbes may be on her way to becoming one of Jamaica’s next track sensations. The former Holmwood Technical High School standout’s rise took a giant leap toward, fulfilling her dreams on Friday night when she ran produced a personal best time of 11.17 seconds to make the Olympic team to Rio, Brazil.
Forbes qualified for the semi-finals on Thursday by finishing second in Round 1, with a qualifying time of 11.41 seconds . She gave an even more blistering run in Thursday’s semi-finals of 11.17 seconds which landed her in the final eight
She got out of the blocks strong, and stayed with the pack from early and held her form all the way down the stretch to finish sixth in 11.17 seconds.
“I am overwhelmed, coming out here I just don’t know what to say, but my coach believed in me, my family, my friends, my cousins and I just came out here to do my best and make everyone proud,” she explained.
Forbes will be in the relay pool to be considered for duties and the chance to win her first relay medal at an Olympic Games. The overjoyed GC Foster student athlete could barely contain herself after crossing the finish line.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” Forbes said. “I got out hard and just kept it up through the finish line. I made the top six. I always wanted to make the Olympic team. It is a dream come true and to be on a team with my cousins Simone Facey and Veronica Campbell-Brown. God is good.”
The North America, Central America Championship ( NACAC) U23 Games is, where Forbes has her eyes glued for a podium finish and is confident that the top spot in the 100m could be hers for the taking.
Still not yet a professional but having been exposed to international competition, she explained that the Olympic Games will set the tone for what is to come Her commitments have forced her to make a number of sacrifices.
That mental approach and dedication might be what lifts Forbes into the stratosphere of international track. The 21 year old is already drawing inspiration from her cousins Simone Facey and Veronica Campbell Brown who helped her through the national senior trials. Both athletes have represented Jamaica at the highest level with distinction.
And Facey had a vote of confidence that Forbes will do well going forward.
“We’re going to see great things from her (Forbes),” “she is a young lady with a tremendous talent. I am so proud of her. When I was warming up , I told her to believe in herself and I want her to be in the top six. She took that and came out and delivered. Now we are going to Rio together. I am so happy for her,” said an elated Facey.
Forbes will participate in the NACAC Games in El Slavador before jetting of to Brazil.
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