At just 20 years old, Bahamian sprinter Terrence Jones finds himself on a meteoric rise in the world of track and field. Jones, a self-proclaimed "goofy middle child," has left his mark on the track with his astonishing speed, leading him to aspire to be like his idol, Usain Bolt. As he gears up to represent his country at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest from August 19-27, Jones reflects on his journey and dreams of Olympic glory.
Hailing from the Bahamas, Jones admits that he is still coming to terms with the incredible path his speed has charted for him. "I don't think me from five years ago would even believe that I'm a real person," he mused in a recent interview with Olympics.com. "If you go back to 10th grade me, I don't think he would have had enough confidence to say that I would reach this level."
Earlier this year, Jones achieved a remarkable feat by tying the Bahamas national record for the men's 100m, clocking an impressive 9.91 seconds. This time matched the record set by Derrick Atkins, who secured silver at the 2007 World Athletics Championships. Jones' achievements also include an indoor national and NCAA record in the 60m, where he clocked a lightning-fast 6.45 seconds.
From humble beginnings, Jones' journey took an incredible turn when Texas Tech sprint coach Zach Glavash identified his potential during a meet in the Bahamas. Jones recalled Glavash's unwavering belief in him, even during moments of self-doubt. This support ignited a fire within Jones, propelling him to dedicate himself to his training and aspirations.
For the past three seasons, Jones has been a proud member of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, competing in Lubbock, Texas. His determination and hard work paid off when he clinched the bronze medal in the men's 200m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June, achieving a personal best time of 19.87 seconds.
Despite his remarkable times, Jones maintains a focus on executing his races effectively rather than fixating on numbers. He believes that consistent execution will naturally yield impressive times. "How my coach explains it to me is, 'All you have to do is execute, and the time will come after,'" he emphasized.
As he looks ahead, Jones draws inspiration from the legendary Usain Bolt, who won his first Olympic championship at the age of 21. With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on the horizon, Jones aims to follow in Bolt's footsteps. "I hope I see a little bit of correlation," he says with a smile. As he aspires to make his mark on the international stage, Jones remains focused on his journey, excited to see where his remarkable speed will take him next.