After more than a decade competing as a professional athlete, quarter-miler Stephanie Ann McPherson says she plans to retire from athletics after next month’s Olympic Games in Paris.
McPherson, 35, a five-time World Athletics Championship medalist in the 400 metres, said in an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer that it was time for him to retire and focus on his studies.
“I don’t plan to continue next year. This may be my last year,” she says. “I have already decided what I will do. I haven’t discussed it with my coach, but he knows that I have started a physiotherapist course in the US and plan to complete it.”
McPherson is coached by Stephen Francis at the MVP Track and Field Club.
McPherson, who is entering the second year of a four-year physical therapy program at Florida International University, said classes don’t start until August, which could affect her plans to compete in some competitions next month.
“School starts in August, so I don’t know what the competitions and the Olympics will be like in August, because I want to finish school early,” she said. “I still have my practical classes, and I can’t miss them.”
McPherson, who is competing in his third Olympic Games as part of Jamaica’s 4x400m relay team, narrowly missed out on a spot in the team individual category after finishing fourth in the event final at last Sunday’s JAAA/PUMA Senior National Championships in 51.28 seconds.
She lost the automatic third place spot to Jenelle Bromfield, who qualified for her first Olympic Games with a time of 51.24 seconds. National record holder Nikkiesha Price won the event in 50.01 seconds with Stacey Ann Williams second in 50.56 seconds.
McPherson won a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow and a gold medal in the lap event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and was also famously part of Jamaica’s winning 4x400m relay team that beat the USA at the 2015 World Championships.
McPherson holds the national record in the event with a personal best outdoor time of 49.34 seconds and an indoor time of 50.79 seconds.
Looking back on his career, McPherson expressed gratitude for his achievements in the sport.
“I’m very happy with the way my career has unfolded because the only time I missed a major tournament was last year when I hurt my foot,” she said. “I took part in the last two months of training but didn’t make it to the finals. I’ve been selected for many teams, won many medals and made many finals, so I’m grateful for that.”
“Not many people get to this point. I honestly think I’m one of the athletes who’s made the most finals overall. I’d like to go into physiotherapy and help other athletes with injuries.”
McPherson is a three-time national 400m champion and won a bronze medal in the 400m at the 2022 World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
