Shafiqua Maloney made history as the first Vincentian to reach an Olympic final, finishing 4th in the women’s 800m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. That year, she set seven national records across distances from 400m to 1500m and was named a Sporting Ambassador during St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ 45th anniversary of independence celebration. In this interview, she shares her early career highlights, challenges, and experiences with a sport psychologist.

Early Beginnings: What inspired you to start in your sport and pursue a career in athletics?

SM: I never envisioned a career in athletics. In elementary school, I played netball, and even into high school. However, in high school, I discovered a love for running. One day while walking up the stairs, Mr. Ollivierre recognized my potential for the 400m hurdles, though I eventually pursued the 800m. Before school, apart from track and everything, I just love running. My parents would tell me I used to run everywhere. Every chance I got, I used to run. It was when I went to the University of Arkansas and saw professional athletes training that I realized I could pursue it as a career.

Career Highlights: Can you share some memorable moments or achievements in your career?

SM: My notable achievements included breaking 2 minutes in the 800m for the first time in 2023 and meeting the Olympic standard in February. Also, when I ran 1:58 for the first time, advanced past the Olympic semifinals, ran 1:57, and placed 4th in the finals. These accomplishments are among the top highlights of my career, along with becoming a sports ambassador and signing a professional contract.

Challenges and Growth: What challenges have you faced that contributed to your growth as an athlete?

SM: I faced significant challenges in my sporting journey growing up, such as the lack of necessary equipment and facilities. These difficulties intensify with age, as I believes the universe tests us more as we age. Despite not having everything I needed, I recognized that sometimes you’re not going to have everything that you need and some things you just don’t have control over, and in those moments, you have to control the controllables. I learned to focus on what I could control—my effort in training. After finishing school, financial barriers made it tough for me to become the best athlete I could be. However, those challenges shaped me, teaching me that hard work and perseverance are essential. This fighting mentality is ultimately what got me through the rounds at the Olympic Games.

Understanding Sport Psychology: Why do you believe sport psychology is important for athletes?

SM: As an athlete, I learned that track is largely mental, with psychology playing a significant role. One thing I learned growing up is it doesn’t matter how hard you train, how much work you put in physically; mentally, if your mind isn’t there, then you won’t be able to achieve half the things that you possibly could. Mental health is important in sports and life, ultimately influencing success. Your mind must be sharp and healthy to achieve your goals, and maintaining mental strength helped me overcome life’s challenges, as being mentally strong is key to not giving up.

Personal Experience with Sport Psychology: How has working with a sport psychologist impacted your performance?

SM: Working with a sport psychologist has significantly improved my performance by helping me manage anxiety on sports day. Sometimes athletes may feel inferior and often tie their identity to their sport, but having a sport psychologist helps us understand that our sport is only a part of who we are, not our entire identity. This perspective helped me see that losing a race doesn’t define me as a failure. Instead, it’s an opportunity to learn and move forward, knowing that setbacks in sports don’t equate to failure in life.

Mental Preparation and Coping: How do you mentally prepare for competitions and handle pressure?
SM: To prepare mentally for competitions, I limit my interactions, focusing on just one or two key people, including my coach and possibly teammates, if they’re around. I reduce communication through WhatsApp and avoids social media to maintain focus, as it often distracts with unnecessary information. Instead, I find peace and strength through listening to praise and worship music, reading scriptures, and praying. This foundation of finding peace with the Lord is essential to my success. Occasionally, I might watch a show but primarily minimize distractions to prepare for competitions.

Future Aspirations: What are your future goals, and how will sport psychology help you achieve them?

SM: One of my main goals is to win an Olympic medal in Los Angeles in 2028 after missing out in Paris. I also aim to inspire the next generation in Saint Vincent, the Grenadines, and the wider Caribbean by showing that Caribbean athletes can compete in the 800m on the world stage. Maintaining the right mental attitude is crucial for me, and having a sport psychologist can help, especially with overcoming setbacks like injuries. My sport still doesn’t define me; it’s about pushing forward and staying grounded to achieve dreams.