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While at the Golden South Classic, I spent a few minutes talking to Veronica Campbell, Jamaica's fastest woman, at her autograph session with the young athletes present. Veronica is soft spoken and petite but very fit, with a great, warm smile. She speaks with confidence and the strength of a champion.

About Veronica Campbell

She was born May 15, 1982 in Jamaica. She went to Vere Technical High School in Clarendon and then in 2007graduated from the University of Arkansas with a marketing degree.

Competitive Highlights include:

• 2008 - 1st, 100m, Reebok Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium, New York City.
• 2007 - World Champion 100m, Silver 200m & 4x100m relay; Jamaica National Champion 100m 200m; ranked 1st in the world 100m and 2nd 200m.
• 2006 - Commonwealth Games silver 200m
• 2005 - World Champion Silver 100m, Silver 4x100m relay; 1st Athletics Final 100m 2nd 200m; ranked 1st in the world 100m; Jamaica National Champion 100m, 200m
• 2004 - Olympic champion 200m, Bronze 100m, Gold 4x100m; Jamaica National Champion 100m & 200m; NCAA Indoor Champion 200m; 1st Athletic Finals 100m & 200m; ranked 1st in the world 200m
• 2003 - Did not compete due to injury
• 2002 -2nd Commonwealth Games 100m
• 2001 - Did not compete due to in injury
• 2000 - Olympic Silver 4x100m relay; World Junior Champion 100m & 200m
• 1999 - World Youth Champion 100m

We asked Veronica a few questions. Here is what she had to say.

Veronica Campbell with her husband, Omar Brown. Omar is also a track & field athlete from Jamaica. He ran for the University of Arkansas and competes in the 200m. They were married in 2007.

Veronica. My chances are pretty good. In the last Olympics, I won the 200m and I came in 3rd in the 100m and Jamaica won the 4x1 relay which I ran in. I've been pretty consistent throughout the years. I won World Championship last year and I have the fastest time in the world so far this year. Training is going good. So, as long as I stay healthy, I have a pretty good chance of winning the double in Beijing.

Donna. We’re at a high school meet where young people are learning to be champions.  They train hard physically.  But there are mental skills that also must be mastered.  How do you prepare mentally for competition?  We all can deal with winning.  But losing is harder.  How do you get over a loss?

Veronica. First of all, I am a very positive person. When it's time to compete I think positive and confident that the work that I have put in will pay off. Most of the time I am very nervous. But being nervous is all part of it. You have to focus on what you have to do. It's just all about your lane, your race plan and focus on you and keep in mind that everybody in the race is as nervous as you. So you have to realize that and stay mentally strong.

With a heavy sigh, Veronica then looked at me and said, "Losing is hard. But, I think positive and go ahead."

Donna. Training, competing, traveling and all that goes with being a professional takes time and effort.  While winning must make it worthwhile, do you ever feel like saying no more, I want a normal life? 

Veronica. No, this is what I like and am doing now. I love the sport.

Donna. You're from Jamaica where I've heard track and field is king. Tell us what track and field means in Jamaica.

Veronica. Yes, definitely, track and field is one of the most, if not THE most popular sport in Jamaica, along with football. Jamaica is a small country and being so close to the US, everybody supports track and field. Jamaica has a lot of high schools which compete against each other; boys and girls can keep in shape. It's a very popular sport. So it's been very good for all. Recently I was in New York and the majority of the stadium was Jamaican and it felt really good. Jamaicans really love the sport.

Most of the autograph seekers also wanted a photo with Veronica. Here, she poses with Decatur GA runners.

Golden South Classic index page