It\u2019s been just three months since Jerry Lee Holness has taken charge as head coach of the Indian women\u2019s 400m & 400m hurdles team, but the Jamaican is confident of getting good results and insisted that it could be done by nurturing young talents and mentoring senior athletes.<\/p>\n

According to the 65-year-old Jamaican, who has been a mentor to Olympic and World champions Elaine Thompson-Herah and Nesta Carter, in India athletes are under immense pressure to produce results. \u201cAnd I think that is one problem in India, athletes are being pressured every time they go on to the track. People expect them to run very fast or to run his or her personal best, even if it\u2019s the athlete\u2019s first outing of the season. I\u2019m trying to culture them, to change that culture so to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerry said he will do his best to educate the athletes about the mental, physical and psychological aspects of the sport. \u201cIt\u2019s also about education, you know, getting them to understand the mental aspect and the psychological aspect of it. And, you know, that is, you know, I\u2019m trying to combine both the physical training and the mental aspect of training. So, hopefully, we will see some results,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Jerry said one of his main tasks is to look out for young talents. \u201cWe have to look out for the new generation. It\u2019s a four-year cycle. We are looking to incorporate quite a few u-19, u-20 kids. And to work with them to put them on a two, three, four-year plan and to develop from there. Because, you know, athletics is all about the cycle. But we have to blend the old with some younger ones,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Jerry\u2019s major goal is to ensure he puts up a good team for the World Relay Championships in Guangzhou on May 10 and 11. \u201cWe have a good chance to enter the finals,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n