The Honorable Levern Spencer

Levern Spencer’s achievement of representing St Lucia in 4 Olympics, eight outside World Championships, 4 indoor World Championships, and 5 Commonwealth Video games as a excessive jumper in a 23-year profession has been acknowledged by her nation with the prefix “the Honorable” added to her title. It occurred on the 2025 Investiture Ceremony.

Levern reacted: “What a pleasure and a privilege it was to have my nation’s second highest award, The St. Lucia Cross. Absolutely, when at age 14, I commenced my 23-year-long Journey, representing my nation within the discipline of Sports activities, I didn’t see such a day coming, and so I embrace this event with an incredible diploma of satisfaction and a way of fulfilment.

“I due to this fact consider that such an achievement warrants that I take the chance to proceed to thank the various individuals and establishments who supported me on this lengthy and fulfilling journey. It goes with out saying that your partnership with me made all of it occur, and for that, I can be ceaselessly grateful”. Having recognized Levern for a few years, and seen her in, I feel, 17 of these championships, I share her delight on the award.

I bear in mind clearly the primary dialog I had together with her.  It was in Brussels 2017, the 12 months there was an influence failure leaving a lot of the stadium in darkness.  On the best way to the stadium, I had learn in Mark Butler’s wonderful biographies that Levern Spencer was a dedicated Christian.  As I’ve an curiosity in athletes of religion, I made a be aware to talk to her afterwards.  I missed her due to the chaos in a darkish combined zone.  Later I boarded the bus again to the lodge.  The bus was full with only one seat remaining – subsequent to Levern!

When she retired, she posted on social media: “Properly because it turned out, my ultimate bounce on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was certainly my ultimate bounce within the occasion of high-jump, within the sport of observe and discipline. After a journey of 23 consecutive years, this skinny introvert from the sub-urban neighborhood of Babonneau within the tiny island of St. Lucia with a inhabitants of 180,000, has determined to hold up her spikes and formally finish her journey within the sport of observe and discipline, and what a journey it was”.

The next extracts from a Q and A article I did on her in 2020, provide you with a taste of the athlete and the particular person:

Profession highlights?

I’ve lots of highlights and lots of good achievements.  The 2 most essential ones had been the 2018 Commonwealth Video games the place I created historical past by being the primary St Lucian to win a Commonwealth gold medal and in 2016 once I grew to become the primary St Lucian to make an Olympic ultimate. These can be two of the foremost highlights.

Disappointments?

I wouldn’t name it a disappointment however one factor, if I might return and do one thing in another way, I might attempt to get entry to a world class facility and coaching earlier.  I want I might have began engaged on my approach at a youthful age.  I didn’t begin excessive leaping till I used to be 14 however I didn’t get correct teaching and coaching till I used to be 20, which may be very late.  So if I might change one factor it will be to get world class services earlier in order that I might enhance my approach at an earlier age.

Is it a frustration that you simply by no means fairly made the magic two meters?

I don’t need to say ‘frustration’.  Sure, my PR is 1.98 however I bought so shut to 2 meters quite a lot of instances. 1.98 isn’t far off two meters however in some way two meters places you in one other class.  Everybody needs to get to the two-meter mark.  I might have cherished to get a PR however I’ll nonetheless be pleased with my profession and what I’ve achieved all through the years.  I’ve seen some athletes clear 2 meters after which by no means do it once more.  When you might have a excessive PR it’s tougher to beat it.

What was the key of your longevity?

With my supervisor I formulated a motto: God + arduous work + self-discipline = success.  I’ve used that motto all through my profession.  Something that I’ve achieved up to now was all God’s doing – not via my very own power, however as a result of God allowed it to occur.  I stress arduous work as a result of nothing in life comes simply, it’s a must to work arduous.  Disciplined means accepting lots of sacrifice.  And I feel that every one three embody success.  All through my profession the motto motivated me and pushed me to maintain going within the sport.  I did the little issues that I wanted to do by myself to attenuate accidents – like going to a chiropractor, having massages or doing additional stretching, simply to maintain my physique in the very best form I might.  It enabled me to compete for 23 consecutive seasons with out having any main accidents.  I didn’t have to sit down out any seasons and I’m grateful that God saved me going this lengthy.