Anthony Foster, Freelance writer

Claston Bernard ... set to leap back into the decathlon fray. - File

PHILADELPHIA:

COMMONWEALTH GAMES gold medallist Claston Bernard has warned his fellow decathletes that he is back and with only one aim this season - to win the Olympic gold medal.

"I am back, almost as good as I opened up in 2004 and 2005," Bernard, who, after missing the past three years with injuries, said after opening-up with 7,886 points at a meet last month.

The performance was about 114 points off the A standard. However, he said he was not worried about getting the mark as the meet was just to see where he was at the moment.

"All the pieces of the puzzle are now starting to come together. A coaching change, that being a big asset. My frame of mind is a lot stronger and in terms of understanding the decathlon I am a lot better too and more experienced," Bernard said.

"I think this is the year I am a lot stronger, a lot faster than I ever was ... things are coming together," he said.

Bernard is working with coaches Tod Lane (head coach), Dennis Shaver (sprint and hurdles) and Derek Yuss (throws); the first time he has had so many mentors.

At the Athens Games in 2004, Bernard, a former Munro College student, finished ninth.

'My focus is to win'

"I am not going back to the Olympic just to go there. My focus this time is to win," said Bernard, who last month celebrated his 29th birthday.

"My hope is not just to finish better than ninth, but to medal. My focus has been changed since I did my last (Olympic) decathlon, from trying to get a medal to now knowing I can win," said the Louisiana-based athlete.

Bernard, during his absence, saw his national record broken by Maurice Smith, who finished second at last year's World Championships. Smith has since broken his own mark at least four times in the past three years.

Not even this will prevent Bernard from, according to him, taking back "his rightful place" as a top-rated Jamaican decathlete.

"Right now, I don't need to match up with any athlete (out there). My focus is on me. If I take care of my business, then it will be a tough day for any decathlete out there," said Bernard, who finished 13th at the 1998 World Junior Championships.

According to Bernard, his confidence is based on a number of factors.

Speed, jumping

"In terms of speed, I think I have it like any other decathlon athlete out there. In terms of jumping, I think I have all the capabilities and the throwing ability is there. I just need to go out there and make sure I compete against myself and do the things I need to do. If I do that, I will definitely be able to bring home a medal, if not the gold, for Jamaica," he said.

"I couldn't care less who is who and who is what. I am not being disrespectful but I have learnt that I cannot focus on my competitors because that's one of the greatest mistakes you can ever make as an athlete," he said.

To beat him at the Olympics, he said the athlete would have to score 8,888 points. "That's what it's going to take. China with the weather conditions and the atmosphere, it going to be tough trying to get that kind of score."

Bernard suffered a hip injury in 2005 and his return was stalled in 2006 when, according to him: "I got into an accident. I was hit by an 18-wheeler (trailer truck) and that set me back".

Though missing in action, he said he has spent the past three years reflecting and preparing for an Olympic assault.