Levern Spencer: A Golden Glint On A Speck of Dust

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Introvert’s Way author, Sophia Dembling, once shared the thought that when you are a quiet person, people tend to fill up your silence with their own interpretation of who you are. This thought always comes to mind whenever I hear comments about Levern Spencer’s disposition. It  appears introverts may be the only ones capable of easily distinguishing Spencer as “the strong, silent type”; the kind to appear calm on the surface while harbouring a purposeful, intense determination underneath.

On Saturday, April 14, a focused Spencer stood centre-field in the packed Carrara Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia. She jittered slightly, as if to allow anxiety to run its course, before allowing herself to exhale. A few Saint Lucian supporters were seated in the stadium; others were awake at home, 2 .a.m local time, eyes glued to their TV, the remaining majority asleep. Spencer placed her left foot back, upper body leaning forward, then began her jog to the bar over which she nimbly glided, clearing a height of 1.95m, just 1cm lower than the Commonwealth Games’ women’s high jump record. Amidst an encouraging gasp from spectators, Spencer leapt to her feet on the crash mat, hands up and fists clenched,     a wide smile setting her face aglow. The 33-year-old is now Saint Lucia’s first athlete to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

By 9 the following morning the clip was being played over and over by those who had missed the live action. A second video also made rounds: one showing Spencer standing atop the highest podium with the gold medal around her neck, while the instrumental rendition of Saint Lucia’s national anthem screamed to our delight in the background. The following Monday her praises were sung. President of the Olympic Committee and Minister of Culture Fortuna Belrose commented: “She has made us tremendously proud and I think it’s something that everybody should celebrate.” Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, en route to the UK, had a congratulatory message posted to his Facebook page:  “She was already a Saint Lucian legend and now Levern Spencer has given our country even more reason to celebrate her greatness.”

On Wednesday morning Spencer’s long-time local manager and mentor, Gregory Dixon, told the STAR: “Levern has always wanted to place her country on the map”—a sefless motive and also ironic, for, two days earlier he had found himself fieldings calls to a radio show, most of them less than flattering or congratulatory.   One caller actually drew attention to the twelve unheralded other athletes who also represented the island at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Nonetheless, the country is proud, beaming with the joy of accomplishment, thanks to Spencer’s golden performance. Things culminated on Thursday, April 19 when the athlete made her way home, meeting a hero’s welcome inclusive of flashing lights, a ceremony and fanfare starting at the Hewannara airport and continuing along the country’s roadsides, all the way down to the Derek Walcott Square. Three times, Spencer was handed a mic and always, she took time to thank her support system, team, family and friends. She also encouraged fellow Saint Lucians to revel freely in the moment with her and the ambitious young to believe they, too. can be the best in the world if they work hard enough at their chosen field.

Spencer shared this on-camera thought:“People say three’s the charm, but for me it was five . . .” According to her manager, Spencer’s ultimate goal is an Olympic medal, something he believes she can achieve despite her age. Then again, the lady has already proven she should not be measured by ordinary yardsticks!