Jah-Nhai Perinchief Makes Olympic Debut
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Jah-Nhai Perinchief said he feels grateful to become an Olympian and hopes to build on his debut showing as he looks towards the next chapter of his triple jump career.
Perinchief – the first Bermudian to represent the island in track and field at the Olympics since 2016 — finished thirteenth in group A of the qualifiers today [August 7] with a best leap of 16.23 metres.
Jah-Nhai Perinchief on the big screen ahead of his first jump
The 26-year-old, who has suffered hamstring issues over the past few years, believes the best is yet to come and said he has relished every moment of his Olympic experience.
“I’m definitely grateful to be here,” Perinchief told Bernews. “I’ve had to battle my injuries to get to the Olympics.”
“The experience has been great, seeing so many great athletes at the Olympic Village.”
Competing in a packed Stade de France in Paris where the Bermuda flag was among those displayed inside the stadium, he had Brian Wellman, one of the island’s greatest track and field athletes, offering him advice between jumps.
“I felt good, felt ready, felt in shape,” Perinchief said. ”I missed a couple of my approach phases, which would have set me up to be in the final.
“I fouled my first jump by a centimetre and that would have got me through to the final. ”
Perinchief – a Commonwealth Games medalist — said he is even more determined to return to the biggest stage when the next Olympics rolls into Los Angeles in 2028.
“The next four years could be big,” he added. ‘I know they will be. I’ll make sure of it.
“Triple jump is a process and I’ve got time. I’m approaching my peak years.”
Bernews will be providing comprehensive coverage of Bermuda’s athletes in the coming weeks.
- View the ‘Best Interview The Best’ series here
- View profiles of all ten athletes representing Bermuda here
- View our dedicated website Bermuda2024.com here
- View all our articles on the Bermuda 2024 Games here on Bernews
- View our ongoing live text/photo/video updates here
Once again, go Jah-Nhai Perinchief!