By Andrew Coakley

FN Sports Editor

Is Donald Thomas done with high jump?

The question came up during an interview with the World- class High Jumper during his trip home with Team Bahamas last week. During a high school Rally, The Freeport News spoke with Thomas and posed the question to him about his future in the sport of track and field.

"That's something that I will have to evaluate when I get back in training and decide what I will do from there," said Thomas.

Thomas admitted that this season was not what he wanted and said that because of an injury, he was unable to perform the way he would have liked at the Olympic Games.

In fact, while addressing the students at the Rally on the Independence Park, Thomas was frank and forthcoming, telling the students that he didn't work as hard as he should have and as a result he did not come back home with a medal.

"Only those who put in the time and put in the hard work get rewards like a medal," Thomas told the kids.

In the interview Thomas said that unlike basketball, softball or baseball, where a player may still be able to play even with an injury, track athletes don't have that luxury.

"In track and field when you're injured its almost impossible to do anything," Thomas admitted.

"In order to compete at a high level in track and field, you really have to be healthy. And this year I just wasn't there because I was injured. Everything happens for a reason and I believe that my injury and the way I performed opened my eyes to some things."

That brought up the question of the Grand Bahamian's future in track and field.

"Right now I have to decide what it is I want to do in the future, and I have several opportunities," said Thomas. "But I will have to make the decision as to whether I continue my career in track and field or switch back to basketball.

"That's something I will have to decide real soon."

With his surprise performance and burst onto the high jump circuit, it was easy to forget that Thomas was in college on a basketball scholarship, when he discovered that he could leap tall buildings.

But can Thomas still play basketball, after not having played it competitively for so long?

"I haven't played in a while, but I know that the skills are still there," Thomas said confidently. "With a few practices, I could be right back where I used to be when I was playing competitive basketball."

However, those who know Thomas says he's not one to give up on anything easily.

Thomas said that he has a hard decision to make once he gets back in the United States - whether to go back to basketball or continue with high jumping.

He says he has six weeks off from training, so during that time he will analyze his position and make a decision as to where he goes from here.