‘Warrior child’—that’s what Jamaican hurdler Omar McLeod prefers to call himself. In fact, his IG handle bears the same identity. From that ‘warrior’ perspective, the 30-year-old has many tales, recounting his transformations from being a ‘runner’ in the suburb of Clarendon to reaching the highest stage, the Rio Olympics. However, each tale includes his mother, describing the ‘child’ part. But that may not be an exception, as several athletes share a similar emotional journey. So what makes Omar McLeod so special?

In his childhood, ‘Runner’ was not the only nickname the Olympic gold medalist received. He had another and his mom remembers the aftermath, reaction, and turn of events. 

Meet Omar McLeod’s parents and siblings

Coming from a close-knit background, Omar McLeod found all the familiar faces around him. That included his father Clifford, his mother Arnelia Morris, and his aunt, Tracyann Knight. Later, Omar’s two younger siblings, Romario and Matthew joined the pack. And Worrell Morris became the trio’s stepfather. Another thing that has been accompanying the Jamaican athlete, is his faith in the almighty. Claiming on that part, his mom once claimed to Jamaica Gleaner, “Omar believes in prayer.” Maybe this faith in the almighty has never let him lose patience with himself. 

On this note, Arnelia Morris could remember one incident that tested little Omar’s endurance at an unforeseen level. It was during his early days in Manchester High School. 

During that timeline, he came across a girl who called him ‘cruff’ after noticing the debilitating start in his athletic performance. Although Omar failed to know the meaning initially. But after realizing it, he rushed to his mother, teary-eyed. In her conversation with The Star, Arnelia narrated the situation, “He cried come home to me that evening. But Omar told me that she was the one who encouraged him to do well with her negative words, that he was a ‘cruff’”. 

Since then, only rushing air has become his partner in arms as he set several high school and college records in the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles. After reaching the University of Arkansas, his raging form gained even more recognition. Apart from the hurdles, he also gained fame in collegiate relay races and indoor 60m events. Despite such a motivated display of grit, he still found himself turning to his mom for support once again.

The Jamaican hurdler received immense support from his mother

Before heading to the Rio Olympics, Omar McLeod couldn’t create enough buzz in the Diamond League with his performance. He had to disprove the ‘cruff’ title once again, this time by winning an Olympic medal. However, his out-of-form performance somewhat shook his confidence. Soon, the former world champion requested his mom to come to Arkansas to accompany him in his prayers to the almighty.

Arnelia didn’t waste a second and moved to Arkansas camp to join her son. The next few days were spent as Arnelia Morris mentioned, “We fasted and prayed for seven days before he left for Rio. I anointed his feet every morning, I anointed every one of his jerseys and spikes with consecrated olive oil and packed his bags, and the Monday morning before he left, he was filled with the Holy Spirit”. Even after Omar McLeod took the flight to Rio, his mom tried to gather support for him in Clarendon, the place that had placed the seed of patience in him once. 

Eventually, Omar McLeod won the 110m hurdles at the Rio Olympics. Eight years later, he is now on his way to change his focus from hurdling to sprinting. Will he enjoy this journey as well, with all the blessings from his mother and the almighty? Let’s find out.