PARIS, France — Multi-talented jumper Ackelia Smith says she has matured as an athlete and a person since her World Championship debut in Budapest last year.

The 22-year old Jamaican contests both long and triple jump in the forthcoming athletics section of Paris 2024.

The University of Texas student and sprint queen Shericka Jackson are the nation’s only two athletes taking on more than one discipline.

Smith made her global competition debut in Hungary and, although hampered by an injury earlier in the season, claims to be fit and ready to challenge for medals in both events in the French capital.

She remonstrated vehemently after controversially being deemed to have fouled during the long jump in Hungary, which unsettled her and also adversely affected her subsequent ‘hop, skip, and jump’ effort.

“The triple jump is first this time,” she points out with a gentle smile which belies her fiercely competitive nature in the athletics arena.

“I’m happy to be here and could only be happier if I got a PB [personal best] in both of them, and if I get a PB then maybe I’ll get a medal.

“At the start of March, I had a strain but pushed through the indoor season and it developed into a hamstring tear, so I’ve now definitely learned when to push and when not to.”

Smith, however, says she has worked with her support team to learn how to nurse these injuries.

“I got through the NCAA’s and the trials and am now at the Olympic Games, ready to compete to the best of my abilities,” she said. “Since last year we have changed a lot of things so I would be at my peak for the Olympics.

“My family are not necessarily ‘track people’, but they have always been there and always been supportive, so I’m happy to be here for them too.

“Last year’s experience at Budapest did change me a little, as I’m now used to competing on the biggest stages against some of the ladies who I grew up looking up to.

“I now know what I’m getting into and how to compete against them.”

Reflecting on her maiden pursuit of global medals, the reigning Jamaican long jump and three-time collegiate champion adds: “Sometimes you don’t always get what you want, and I had a jump that was ruled as a foul — it was close — yet I’m not sure how they ruled it as a no-jump.

“I think it kind of threw me off a little for the triple jump too…but that is first this year!”

“I love both of them

“I’ve heard a lot of people say it’s going to be a challenge, but I’ve gone through the NCAAs and the trials doing both, so I know how to manage them and how to recover for the next event, so don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

“I’m here at an Olympic Games and have nothing to lose, and fitness-wise feel I’m doing pretty good.

“Mentally, I’m also great. How can you not be when you get to the Olympics?”