Jason Morgan

National discus record holder Jason Morgan may have let himself down with his performance at the London Olympics, but the lessons learned from the experience, he says, will serve him well going forward.

Morgan, 30, who broke the national record twice this season, and who along with Traves Smikle became the first two Jamaicans to ever represent the country at the Olympics by achieving the Olympic 'A' standard of 65 metres, went into the Games with a season best of 67.15m. However, at the Games he was a shadow of himself, failing to throw beyond 60 metres and was subsequently eliminated during the preliminary round. "Yes, I should have competed better at the Games but I think I became too relaxed, too complacent," he conceded.

comfort

"The first day I got to the Olympic Village I realised this was it, this is what I worked so hard for. I was carrying around a feeling of comfort of where I am now and where I was coming from. I was feeling like I proved a lot of people wrong about me throwing at the Olympics."

But, despite an unimpressive performance at the Games, instead of feeling dejected he returned home to Louisiana an inspired man.

"First, let me thank God and all the positive people in my life who have shown me support for having a great season," he said.

"I have come to realise that throwing the discus this year at the Olympics goes way beyond just what I was trying to achieve for myself. In spite of the lonely struggles and challenges I faced to get to this point."

The former Calabar High sprinter-turned-thrower cited the struggles he endured this season, namely, the lack of support in training, the absence of proper nutrition, balancing training and a full-time job, no coach and no sponsor support, saying that his struggles endeared him to many.

"I didn't realise that so many people across the world knew me and knew my story," he said.

"Over the two weeks, hundreds of people have reached out to me saying that I motivated and inspired them. I didn't realise that throwing the discus and having my personality could have such an impact on so many people."

This effect that he has had will only serve to spur him on, Morgan said, as he looks forward to other major championships representing the country of his birth.

"I will continue to throw. I will continue to break down barriers for Jamaican throwers. I will be better in 2013, and that's a promise," he said.

"I believe that great assistance is on the way to guide me to achieve a global medal in the discus for Jamaica before my career is done. I now feel like I am just getting started."