Paris, France — National triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert is relying on hard work and faith to guide him to a medal at the Paris Olympic Games.

Hibbert, one of the top triple jumpers in the world this year, enters the championships as a favourite for the gold medal. He has a personal best of 17.78m and a season best of 17.75m, ranking him third in the world. Jordan Diaz Fortun of Spain is the world leader with a jump of 18.18m.

The former Kingston College standout, who has been one of the top triple jumpers for the past two years, did not compete at the National Championships last month but received a medical exemption for the Olympic Games.

Hibbert, a devoted Christian, says his training programme was designed for him to peak at the Olympics, and he believes he is on the right path to achieving that goal.

“[Preparations] are very much the same,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “Obviously, I am trying to peak for the Olympics. Today [Friday], I started my peaking cycle, and by the time August 7 and 8 come, I will be ready.

“There is never any pressure on me. Maybe there is pressure from their [the public’s] end because they want to see me do well, but from my end, I am just focusing on the will of God.”

Hibbert, competing in his first Olympic Games, suffered a disappointment at the World Athletics Championships last year, where he had to pull out of the final due to injuries. He says that he has recovered from that setback and will be giving his all to secure a medal in Paris.

“It just allows me to be hungrier for the gold medal and to be more focused,” he said. “It reminds me that the pain you feel right now is nothing compared to the joy that is coming, and I am waiting to see what joy is coming.

“That alone is just a reminder that I am on the right path. It is going to take a lot of prayer, and I have to do something supernatural to get that gold medal, and I am ready,” Hibbert added. “It’s never about what I have to do; it’s just about being ready to accept what is to come.”

However, Hibbert says he is aware that winning the gold is not going to be an easy task, but he has prepared himself mentally and physically to do his best for his family and his country.

“It is what you do on the day,” he said. “Every competition is tough. It’s a competition, and everybody is coming to do their best. You might never know what they do on the day, and they might never know what you do on the day. But for me, I am the only one on the runway because it’s not like a race where you have eight people, and you have to run past others. I just have to focus on my technique and my approach, and I will be alright.”

Hibbert, at 19, is one of the youngest members of the Jamaica team and the world Under-20 record holder in the triple jump. He said he is happy to be participating in his first Olympic Games and is looking forward to a great experience in Paris.

“I am feeling excited, and I am humbled, and grateful to be here,” he said. “A lot of persons have tried out for this spot, and I am one of the chosen ones. So, I am just thankful. “I am excited to see several events — the men’s 100m, and my event. I am excited to go out there and compete and represent my brand and the country because the Olympics are every four years, so you just have to make the most of it.”