The Honorable Levern Spencer
Levern Spencer’s achievement of representing St Lucia in 4 Olympics, eight out of doors 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 identify. 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 area of Sports activities, I didn’t see such a day coming, and so I embrace this event with an ideal 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 numerous 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 shall be without end 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 along 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 word 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: “Nicely because it turned out, my last bounce on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was certainly my last bounce within the occasion of high-jump, within the sport of observe and area. 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 area, and what a journey it was”.
The next extracts from a Q and A article I did on her in 2020, offer you a taste of the athlete and the particular person:
Profession highlights?
I’ve a number of highlights and a number of good achievements. The 2 most vital 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 turned the primary St Lucian to make an Olympic last. These can be two of the key highlights.
Disappointments?
I wouldn’t name it a disappointment however one factor, if I may return and do one thing otherwise, I might attempt to get entry to a world class facility and coaching earlier. I want I may have began engaged on my method 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 could be very late. So if I may change one factor it could be to get world class amenities earlier in order that I may enhance my method at an earlier age.
Is it a frustration that you simply by no means fairly made the magic two meters?
I don’t wish to say ‘frustration’. Sure, my PR is 1.98 however I received so shut to 2 meters various occasions. 1.98 will not be far off two meters however by some means two meters places you in one other class. Everybody needs to get to the two-meter mark. I might have beloved to get a PR however I’ll nonetheless be proud of 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’ve got 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 energy, 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 important to work arduous. Disciplined means accepting a number of sacrifice. And I feel that each 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 absolute best form I may. 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 stored me going this lengthy.
