Despite his disappointment at missing out on a podium spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, veteran sprint hurdler Hansle Parchment says he is extremely appreciative of the support that he has received and underlined his pride after being tipped for a national honour for his achievements on the track over the years.

Parchment, a multiple global medallist, received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, Jamaica’s sixth-highest honour, for his exceptional achievements in athletics at both the World Championships and Olympic Games and is among a group of sporting personalities, who will be recognised by the Government of Jamaica at the National Honours and Awards Ceremony, which will be held at King’s House on National Heroes’ Day in October.

He told the Jamaica Observer that it was an honour to be selected for this award and that he is encouraged by the support he has received from the Jamaican people.

“I always appreciate the love and support, and I hope we can always keep it like that and support all the athletes because we put a lot of work into getting where we are, and it is not always easy,” Parchment said. “I think we should all be able to relate because people who do their normal work have day-to-day stress. They have things at work that bother them, and sometimes they feel like they don’t want to go to work. Athletes go through the same thing, too.”

Parchment, 34, finished a disappointing eighth in the final of the event at the recently concluded Paris Olympic Games with a time of 13.39 seconds. He has indicated that he has no plans to retire from the sport as long as his body remains healthy and strong.

Troubled by injuries and setbacks, the experienced athlete was not able to put his best foot forward in Paris, but says he is encouraged by the show of support.

“It is always good to have people behind you, whether you are at the top or when things are not going so well, so that you can remember there is love and that you should always give your best,” Parchment said.

His coach, Fitz Coleman, is also set to be conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for his outstanding contribution to sport in the area of track and field.

Asked whether he expects to return for another shot at the Olympic Games in four years’ time at the LA Games, Parchment shared that he is taking things one season at a time.

“I don’t think about going that far because the next Olympics I will probably be too old then, but if the body still feels good and I am still putting the pressure on the youngsters, then who knows,” he said.

Parchment, who came into the Paris 2024 Games as the defending champion in the 110m hurdles after his victory at the Tokyo 2020 Games, could only manage a 13.39 seconds clocking in the final which was won by American Grant Holloway in 12.99 seconds. Another American, Daniel Roberts, took silver in 13.09 (.085), while Jamaica’s Rasheed Broadbell, 13.09 (.088), took bronze, finishing less than three-thousandths of a second behind Roberts.

In addition to his success in Tokyo, Parchment also won a bronze medal at the London Games in 2016. He also won silver medals at the 2015 and 2023 instalments of the World Athletics in Beijing and Budapest, respectively, as well as the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.