Shaun Gill Returns from 2024 Olympics in Paris

Olympic runner Shaun Gill was the only Belizean athlete in Paris this year.  He didn’t qualify to compete in the track and field events; nonetheless, we caught up with him upon his return from the 2024 Summer Games on Tuesday morning.  Gill, who recently completed his studies in engineering, has announced his retirement from the sport, as he shifts focus to finding a job in his field of study.  Despite being unable to participate in the Olympics activities, Gill told reporters earlier today that the experience was quite memorable.

 

Shaun Gill, Belizean Olympian

“The experience was good.  Part of the reason the performance was kind of low also was because of the adjustment.  It was extremely, extremely hard to adjust.  I mean, even before the race, I was already in France probably, maybe a week and a half, closer to two weeks and still could not adjust, the sleep cycle was completely off.  The performance, it is what it is, I’ve ran many big races before and it’s sports, you know, not every single time you touch the track you wahn get the performance weh yoh think yoh capable of, you know.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“You are the only Belizean to represent the Jewel in this year’s Olympics.  Describe for us that feeling, perhaps you would have wanted to see more athletes from our country representing as well.  What was that like for you?”

 

Shaun Gill

“You know, as weh ah seh eena one a mi post dehn on Instagram, you know, I had a feeling of a lot of joy, passion.  I really felt like I had Belize on my back.  You know, I gave this story a couple days ago to one of my friends, when we were doing the opening ceremony and we were going on the boats, you know, I felt normal, like… getting on the boat, it’s a procession, you have to go through protocols and everything.  But as soon as, we had a guide and the guide tells you when it’s your turn to be on TV, as soon as the guide said, “Belize, your turn.”  It was just an overwhelming feeling of, you know, passion, joy, and that’s why I started waving the flag. It takes a lot.  I mentioned in one interview and it kind of went viral, but all I said was the resources here are not as great. That’s literally what I said and it’s the truth, you know.   I don’t know who’s responsible for it but we need to start working on it because sports is a big deal and sports unites all athletes.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“Now Shaun, you’ve essentially announced your retirement from track and field.  What next should we expect from you, either in your academic pursuits or any other form of sports?”

 

Shaun Gill

“Well, this is part of the farewell tour for me.  As I mentioned to Sports Max, I probably have maybe one more, I’m not even sure when it is, but it is something that I already told the federation here that I am committed to which is being a part of a relay team.”