Small delegation of athletes heads to Beijing for Olympics

The spectacular opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Olympics will be held at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, China this Friday and in Chinese culture, the number eight is associated with prosperity and confidence, so the ceremony is scheduled to begin at eight p.m. on the eighth of the eighth month of the year. And already on their way to the games, is a small delegation from Belize, comprising four athletes and coaches. The delegation is scheduled to arrive tonight. Three athletes left to the Games without fanfare: Jonathon Williams who will be competing in the four hundred meter hurdles, Trecia Flores in the long jump and Alfonso Martinez in taekwondo. The other athlete, Jayson Jones, is based in Florida and will be competing in the two hundred meters race. Jayson’s mother, Shereda, has provided a video clip of Jayson at training.

Jayson Jones, Belizean Athlete
“One of the things that I visualize is standing on top of the podium, bending down and letting them put the medal around my neck.”

Julia Yarbough, Anchorwoman, NBC 6/WTVJ
It is that life defining gold medal moment that propels Jayson Jones every single time he sets foot onto a track.

Jayson Jones
“When you step on the line you want to win.”

Jones is Beijing bound. In these final weeks before the summer Olympic games he’s preparing physically, a strict diet and daily training, as well as mentally to compete in the one hundred and two hundred meter sprints.

Jayson Jones’ Coach
“Everything is fast race pace. I’ll correct you as we go along.”

Here, on the campus of F.A.U., the only eyes on Jayson are those of his coach, pushing him to make what is already top notch, perfect.

Jayson Jones’ Coach
“Everything you gotta put in; drive, transition and acceleration nice and quick here.”

Jayson Jones
“No coach has ever taught me to be mentally tough.”

Jayson Jones’ Coach
“He knows what it takes to get there and he’s serious about getting there.”

Jayson Jones
“On a daily basis he’s always teaching me about being focused and not letting anything worry you and focusing out here so when you get to the stage it’s just a rehearsal.”

Because in china that rehearsal will be with the entire world watching.

Jayson Jones
“I know I’m right there; it’s just a matter of putting it together.”

Jones lives, trains, and call South Florida home, but he’ll be going for gold under the flag of his native country, Belize.

Jayson Jones
“I have the whole country riding on my back. It’s a great opportunity. I’ve always said I wanted to represent my parents’ country and do something special for my folks and it’s and awesome feeling.”

Special too for the next generation of the Jones family.

Jayson Jones
“I’m more excited that he can see daddy out there doing it.”

For his coach, his parents, his son; all reasons Jayson Jones is here under the South Florida sun striving for perfection. But what about for himself? Why does this Olympian and gold medal hopeful do it?

Jayson Jones
“I do it for the love of the sport. There’s no greater feeling than running fast. You actually feel like you’re flying. Running and working hard and achieving your goals is the greatest satisfaction and I like it.”

Channel Five will be broadcasting the opening and closing ceremonies from Beijing and highlights of the games. The video clip was granted to us through the courtesy of Julia Yarbough, an anchor woman of NBC 6/WTVJ in Miami Florida.