[dropcap]H[/dropcap]aving already captured two bronze medals at previous Commonwealth Games, St Lucia’s Levern Spencer took it to another level at the recently completed 2018 Commonwealth Games held in the Gold Coast, Australia, from April 4 – 15.
If we go by ascending order the next stage would be silver, but Spencer who earned a bronze medal at the Games in Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014, leap frogged from bronze to gold quite fittingly on Australia’s Gold Cost, coming away with a gold medal in women’s high jump on the final day of competition.
It was St Lucia’s first ever gold medal at this competition after an eternity! Sure seemed like it. In fact it was a 56 year wait after first competing at the Commonwealth Games in 1962.
The women’s high jump was a highly competitive affair with Spencer having to jump a season’s best 1.95 metres, to ward off the two other competitors nipping at her heels. They came close but not close enough. Morgan Lake from the United Kingdom finished second (1.93 m) with Australia’s Nicola McDermott in third place (1.91 m).
The 33 year-old Spencer who many thought and might still think she’s past her prime, remained focused throughout the competition. Spencer’s attire was extremely conservative when compared to some of the other high jumpers whose attire was, let’s say, much more revealing. They certainly made a fashion statement and were more flamboyant than the reserved, unassuming St Lucian. They finished behind Spencer which gave even more credence to a familiar saying in sports “all that glitters is not gold”.
Speaking to reporters following her performance Spencer said: “It is really a good feeling and I am happy I’m the one making history for my country. I got the bronze in the last two Commonwealth Games and was determined to work hard this time to win the gold. My results today was good enough.”
As one would expect, here in St Lucia congratulations were the order of the day in fact throughout the week. Speaking from the summit of the Americas in Peru, Prime Minister, Allan Chastanet explained how proud the country continues to be of Spencer.
He said: “The people of St Lucia are so proud of Levern. Many stayed up to watch her historic jump, while others found out early in the morning and the response has been phenomenal. This has deep meaning for us because we have watched her grow up before our eyes, been there in the ups and downs of being an athlete. Levern was already a St Lucian legend and now Levern Spencer has given our country even more to celebrate.”
President of Commonwealth Games St Lucia and President of the St Lucia Olympic Committee Inc, Fortuna Belrose said: “It is a success symbol of her longevity and a good reflection for all young people. It highlights her determination and it took time which shows her discipline. It is a great achievement for our country and others in the region who are part of the Commonwealth.”
The Department of Youth Development and Sports also congratulated Spencer on her outstanding achievement and recognized the efforts of everyone here and abroad who helped carve her career.
With all the well-deserved praise and accolades for Spencer, it’s easy to forget there was another St Lucian high jumper in the competition. Jeanelle Scheper who is the heir apparent to Spencer placed ninth in the competition.
On Thursday officials welcomed home St Lucia’s multi Sportswoman of the Year following her arrival at Hewanorra International Airport at approximately 2:30 pm. A delegation met Spencer on the tarmac, then escorted her to the VIP Lounge where a brief ceremony took place.
After that a motorcade with the guest of honor made its way from the airport, bound for the Derek Walcott Square, where St Lucians came out in large numbers to welcome home their Golden Girl.
