Paris, France — While admitting that he is fit and ready to compete, sprinter Oblique Seville says that his execution will be key to securing a medal at the Paris Olympics.

Seville, one of the favourites for the gold medal in the men’s 100m in Paris, recently recovered from abductor and upper-quad injuries picked up during the final of the men’s 100m at the JAAA/Puma National Senior Championships (Trials) in June, which caused him to miss training time. He was treated for his injuries by renowned German doctor, Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt.

Seville, 23, finished fourth in the final of the men’s 100m event at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last year. He also finished fourth in the 100m final at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in 2022. Seville, coached at Racers Track Club by Glen Mills, will enter the Olympic Games with a personal best time of 9.82 seconds. That time is the fourth fastest in the world this year, behind his countryman Kishane Thompson, who is the world leader, with 9.77.

Seville said he learnt lessons from those fourth-place finishes at the World Championships and he is now a much more mature athlete, having learned how to compete in his event properly.

“Execution is what is going to put me on the podium, and if I get my execution right, I am sure that I will be on the podium,” Seville told the Jamaica Observer.

“I am working on my strength, endurance, and a little bit of fitness, but for now, I know that I am fit for the championships, and everything is going as planned.”

Seville was beaten by Thompson in his last race in the final of the 100m at the National Championships last month. Seville pointed out that defeat has served as a big motivating factor for him going into the Olympic Games.

“It actually motivated me knowing that it’s a Jamaican, because I actually know Kishane from high school,” Seville said. “We competed together at Central Champs, and he is actually a good athlete, so with another Jamaican on top, it motivates me as well.

“The Jamaican championship has shown that our track and field has elevated, so I am sure that we are going to dominate at the Olympics. If I compete the same way that I competed at the Trials, then I can be on the podium. I think if I can run 9.8, then I can be on the podium.”

Seville has not ran many races over the course of his career overseas.

“For some reason, I always have some little niggling injuries that caused me not to compete in Europe,” he said. “I had some races in Europe after the National Trials, but due to these injuries, I have had to back out and focus on getting better. I am a hundred per cent better, as you can see on the [training] track, and I am working very hard out there.”