In athletics circle, the name Veronica Campbell-Brown is synonymous with history. To be clear, not being a part of history but creating it! Born and raised in rural Jamaica in the parish of Trelawny, there were no family genes, no cutting-edge equipment and or facilities serving as portent of the success to follow. By sheer determination, natural talent and hard work, VCB parlayed her primary school promise into a scholarship to one of Jamaica’s venerable high school track programs, Vere Technical. Incidentally, Vere Technical is the only high school in the world to boast four alumni to run under 11.00 in the 100 meters. The four piloting Vere Technical to that position are Merlene Ottey (VCB’s self-proclaimed role model), Beverley McDonald, Simone Facey and of course VCB herself.
Whilst in high school, VCB in 1999 became the first female to win the World Youth Games 100 meter title; that win marked the first time a Jamaican was winning a global 100m title. In the very next year she won her first of seven Olympic Games medals courtesy of a relay silver medal at the Sydney Games. Interestingly, VCB became the youngest ever Jamaican female to win an Olympic medal! More history was created that same year when in Santiago, Chile, VCB became the first female to win the 100m and 200m at the same World Junior Championships!
At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games VCB kept the history buffs busy as her medal haul of 100 meter (bronze), 200 meter (gold) and relay (gold) propelled her to the title of most successful Caribbean athlete ever at a single Olympic Games! Additionally, by virtue of winning the 200 meter, VCB became the first female from the Caribbean to win an Olympic sprint title!
Want more firsts? At the 2007 World Championships, VCB captured the 100m title and in the process became the first athlete (male or female) to win the full offering of International Association of Athlete Federation (IAAF) sprint titles available. She had won World Youth 100m (1999), IAAF World Junior (2000).
Want more history? That 2007 World Championship 100m gold medal made her the first Jamaican to win a senior global 100m title!
At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, VCB became only the second woman in Olympic Games history to successfully defend her 200m title. Barbel Wockel of Germany in 1976 and 1980 had previously turned the trick. In 2009 more history was created by this athletic giant when she became the first female track athlete to be named UNESCO Champion for Sport.
2010 evidenced her first foray at the global indoor level and she duly obliged climbing to the top of the podium at the Doha staging of the World Indoor Championships. Her (7.00) triumph signaled a personal best at 60m. Outdoors she was unblemished at 200m and finished the season with world leading times in both the 100m and 200m.
With 2011 came the World Outdoor Championship and another first for VCB. The bemedaled Jamaican finally secured the 200m crown the only individual sprint gold outside of her possession at the World Championship prior to her (22.22) performance. Additionally, she pocketed silver medals in the 100m and 4x100m relays. Earlier in the season a 100m personal best of (10.76) added to the radiance of her outstanding season.
Displaying the ability to juggle academics and athletics with equal ease, VCB secured her Bachelor of Science degree in 2006 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. An avid bowler, the daughter of Cecil Campbell and Pamella Bailey and now wife of 2006 Commonwealth Games 200 meter Champion Omar Brown, VCB has come a long way from Trelawny and intends to continue creating history!
Veronica Campbell-Brown, youngest Jamaican woman to win an Olympic medal and an eight-time Olympic medalist, walks us through her incredible professional journey in an exclusive interview with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Full Interview on Next Page!
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are one of only nine athletes to win world championships at the youth, junior, and senior level of an athletic event and the second woman in history to win two consecutive Olympic 200 m events. Tell us more about your spectacular journey and how it all began?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
My athletics journey began around the age of eleven. I had always enjoyed running, but around the aforementioned age, I started to take it a little more seriously, having realized I was gifted with the ability to sprint. I was intrigued by any activity that involved running, so much so, that I used to race boys on the streets in my community. I loved to run so much that my mom made me the child of choice to be sent to the grocery store. Mom knew she could begin preparing our meals and I would return in time with the ingredients needed to complete her cooking.
I consider myself truly blessed given the success I have been enjoying throughout my career. I give credit to God for gifting me with the ability to be a great sprint athlete. I embraced my talent and by sheer determination, hard work and focus, I have been able to achieve many great things.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In the 2004 Athens Olympics, at the 200 m finals, you become the first Jamaican and Caribbean woman in the history of the Olympic games to win a sprint Olympic title. How did you feel after this incredible victory?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
I am humbled to become the first Jamaican and Caribbean woman in the history of the Olympic Games to win a sprint Olympics title. It was my childhood dream to become an individual Olympics gold medalist. So in 2004, when this dream became reality, I was overwhelmed with joy and gratefulness. This showed me that we can achieve anything we put our minds to and that if we can imagine a thing and work towards it we can achieve it.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in the life of a track & field athlete, preparing for the Olympic Games.
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
A typical training day for me whether preparing for the Olympic Games, the IAAF World Championships or a regular competition is quite similar. I wake up, have breakfast and attend training. Some days, I have one session; other days I have two sessions. After completing my first session, I would take a snack break to refuel before heading to session two, which in most cases takes place in the weight room. After putting in almost six hours of work, I have lunch.
After which, I take a nap if time permits, before heading to any therapy appointments I might have such as massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care. Then I would have dinner. After dinner, I would take sometime to relax, read, write or watch TV.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
My workout regime includes a wide variety of workouts and exercises, as a sprinter my program places great emphasize on speed and power development but at the same time it does not neglect endurance and strength. Some of my favorite exercises include squats, bench press and plyometric.
Videos
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
Healthy eating is not only important for athletes to function and perform at an optimal level, it is also important for everyone to maintain a great lifestyle. As a result, I pay attention to what I consume daily and focus on feeding my body with the right nutrients. I make sure to get the proper serving of vegetable, protein, carbohydrate and also hydrate well throughout the day.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You were appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2009. How were you able to give back to the society through this title?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
I am extremely humbled to be an UNESCO Sport Ambassador. My mandate it to promote gender equality in sports. I believe some progress has been made in this area, but we still have a far way to go before we reach equality. We have to keep working hard and try our best to show and convince society that women are as important and as deserving of respect and proper pay as our male counterparts and my intention is to continue bringing awareness to the situation every chance I get. Since my appointment, I have established the Veronica Campbell-Brown Foundation and one of our goals is to empower the next generation of young girls through educational assistance and mentorship so that they can be empowered to be their best self and impact society positively.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are the second woman in history to win two consecutive Olympic 200 m events, after Bärbel Wöckel of Germany at the 1976 and 1980 Olympics. How do you feel about creating an Olympic history and inspiring so many like you?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
I humbly say my career has been one of groundbreaking performances and the top of the list for me is joining Ms. Wockel in being the only ladies to win back-to-back Olympic 200m titles. I am so grateful for the path my career has taken and I am humbled that my accomplishments have inspired many people. I feel joy in inspiring others to go after their dreams, as we are all placed on earth to motivate and inspire others.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
Knowing that God created me to be a successful track athlete, has been my greatest motivator in allowing me to have a successful career. I embraced my talent, worked hard, stayed focused and persevered and today I have a lot to give thanks for. God has also blessed me with some very supportive people who have been a part of my life over the years; they truly have my best interest at heart.
Videos
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are an eight-time Olympic medalist. Tell us about one of the most memorable experience that you had across the Olympic Games.
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
I have had so many great Olympics memories. I enjoyed every Games I participated in and all gave me a different experience. There is something I take away from each one that served as memorable. However, if I had to decide on my most memorable Olympics experience, I would have to say the 200m final at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games. That was the race in which I ran my 200m personal best and raced into history!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
At the end of the 2008 season, you were selected the top 200 m runner in the world as well as the fourth best in the 100 m by Track and Field News. Share with us your experience after receiving such honor and appreciation.
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
It is always great to be recognized for one’s hard work. It shows that others value what you do and as a result you feel good and encouraged to keep working hard to achieve great things so that you can inspire others. At the end of the day, our achievements should inspire others to be the best they can in whatever they do.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding track and field athletes who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
Nothing of great value comes easy; therefore make up your mind that you will have to work hard, focus and persevere to reach your true potential. Whenever, you encounter disappointments or setbacks, do not let them weigh you down, these things are part of growth and maturity. When you overcome challenges you will become a better, stronger individual. I dare you to see the positive in challenges!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Veronica Campbell-Brown:
Women Fitness is the ultimate women empowerment portal. It provides a wealth of information for living a healthy lifestyle.
To know the latest from Veronica Campbell-Brown, Follow her on
- https://www.facebook.com/VCBofficial/
- https://twitter.com/VCampbellBrown
- https://www.instagram.com/vcampbellbrown/
Or check out her website: http://veronicacampbellbrown.com/
Women Fitness Team thanks Veronica Campbell-Brown for giving her valuable time for this interview, enlightening us and our viewers and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her.
Videos
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness