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Return of 40-year-old Jamaican Olympic champion elicits mixed reactions

40-year-old Melaine Walker has expressed her interest in competing at the Olympic Games after a long period of inactivity, a move that has elicited mixed reactions from athletics enthusiasts and fans.

Melaine Walker, a 40-year-old Jamaican hurdler has expressed her interest in representing her country in the 110m Hurdles at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

The 40-year-old won the 400m Hurdle race at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, and also won the title at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

The World and Olympic champion will now be seeking a chance of redemption after a long period of inactivity. Last season, she only competed once, at the GC Foster Classics where she sealed the podium in the 110m Hurdles race.

Speaking to Nationwide Radio Jamaica, she said: “The aim is to get to the Olympics…that is what everybody is working for.

"I want to focus on that…but I will need to come back first. I’m taking small steps in order to get myself back, and then I will be able to get myself in the mix.”

She added that she is aware of the tough competition that awaits her but she does not pay attention to the athletes but to herself and what she does offer.

However, some of her fans and athletics enthusiasts think it is not a good idea for her to set such lofty ambitions since she has been inactive in the sport for long.

One X (Twitter) user commented on the news saying: “She said this after winning the 400 meters hurdles in 2008 but did not carry through in 2012 and has been relatively inactive since. I wondered if she was alright then, a wondering again.”

Another user said: “Her last appearance was in Daegu in 2011 and that was 13 years ago. She would have to do a lot of work to get in shape to compete against the younger and fitter athletes. Don’t think it is a risk worth taking. Wish her well though.”

However, other fans seemed to have no problem with her goals and one commented on the post saying: “Some are yet to win medals even on church sports day but have the temerity to tell the world and Olympic champion what she can and cannot do.”

Another one said: “Nothing is impossible!!” Another user also supported her and said: “This has been her dream for a while now. Wish her all the best.”