Aleen Bailey

Olympic and World Championships relay gold medalist Aleen Bailey has set her retirement timetable but don't worry, the St Mary native will not be hanging up her spikes anytime soon, with the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, expected to be her swansong.

Bailey, who celebrates her 30th birthday later this month, dispelled thoughts that she would be riding off into the sunset and hastened to point out that she has already started her programme for the 2011 season.

"I haven't really given retirement any thought at all," Bailey said, from her US base where she is working out with noted coach Lance Brauman, who also conditions the likes of Tyson Gay, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and Kelly-Ann Baptiste.

"Truthfully, my whole aim was to stop competing after the 2012 Olympic Games and that's still my goal at this point."

Bailey, who has personal-best times of 11.04 seconds over 100m and 22.33 seconds in the 200m, underlined her desire to have a healthy season next year and is also looking to lower her personal marks throughout the season, particularly in the 100m. Bailey, who made the finals of both the 100m and 200m at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, has also targeted a place in next year's IAAF World Championships of Athletics team.

"I just want to start the season off on a healthy note, that's a major objective, it's very important so I'm really hoping that this happens. Overall, I just want to run well, get some good times in and, of course, make the World Championships team. Those are the things that I really want to happen next year," Bailey added.

The former Vere Technical athlete recently received the Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence for not only her sporting achievement but also her involvement in community outreach, particularly in her hometown of Islington, and Barkerswood, in St Mary.

After receiving the award, Bailey, who said she was surprised by the recognition, noted that she will be focusing on setting up and managing a foundation that caters to community outreach and development.

"The Courtney Walsh award is something that I didn't expect and to be able to win it is really an honour; and I feel great to have been considered for that so big thank you to everyone who made it possible," said Bailey.