It must be difficult to watch your compatriots compete at a major sporting event knowing you would have been there but for injury.

That’s the feeling high jumper Sakari Famous has after a stress fracture to her back prevented her from taking her place among the Bermuda squad at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

In her absence, Dage Minors is the only track and field athlete representing the island at the event and Famous will be tuning in to see how he gets despite the disappointment of not making it herself.

“I thought it would have been a wonderful opportunity to compete in the Pan Am Games,” Famous said.

“Sometimes I forget how big these events are and I think just knowing I would have been able to go if I wasn’t injured sparks confidence in myself. The best thing for me to do right now is support those who are going and continue to work hard for next year’s competitions.”

Spells on the sidelines through injury can often be the toughest times for an athlete to endure and Famous was no exception.

“Just like any other athlete, injuries can be tough mentally with constant doubt,” she added.

“However, I tried not to spend that much time in a low mental state because I knew I had to make a comeback to be able to reach my goals that I have yet to achieve.

“With the support from family and friends who really had faith in my return I’m able to be in a better state of mind now and even throughout the entire recovery process.

Having completed her rehab, Famous has returned to training and is excited to be jumping once again

“Compared with day one of my injury I have progressed very well,” Famous said.

“After I completed my spring semester I was able to return back home to have a complete rest, which I believe allowed me to recover and I am happy to say that I am back to my regular training schedule with a few minor modifications.

“The goal was to not rush back so that I can properly prepare for the upcoming season and do greatly. As of right now, we have started event-specific training and I have been feeling great about our high jump sessions.”

The Paris Olympics are now fast approaching and while representing her country on the grandest stage of all appeals to Famous, she is focusing on the many smaller steps she must take to get there.

“My main focus right now is my collegiate season,” she said.

“The NCAA indoor championships meet is the most difficult to get into because there are no regionals and only the ranked top 16 make it. I have experienced NCAA championships outdoors so I would really love to make it to indoors, which will take place in Boston.

“After that my next goal is to reach first team All-American status, which is placing in the top eight at a national championship. Olympics is such a super, major event and it all just depends on how well my season goes.

“To have that as a goal, I’ll have to improve my confidence and trust that I’ll be able to jump the high heights it would require to make it.”