Roje Stona: Why Golden Gala Pietro Mennea could be a game-changer for Olympic champion

Roje Stona: Why Golden Gala Pietro Mennea could be a game-changer for Olympic champion

Festus Chuma 13:45 - 30.08.2024

Jamaica's Roje Stona is set to compete at the Golden Gala where he will face top rivals while contemplating his future in athletics and NFL tryouts.

Olympic discus champion Roje Stona will make his Diamond League debut today in Rome setting the stage for a new chapter in his career.

Stona, fresh off his historic Olympic victory, joins a lineup of top-tier athletes at the Golden Gala Wanda Diamond League meet at  Stadio Olimpico.

Roje Stona, who became a household name after a stunning throw of 70.00 meters in Paris now steps into the arena against seasoned athletes like Lithuania's Mykolas Alekna, Slovenia’s Kristjan Ceh, and Australia's Matthew Denny.

"The level of competition here is something I’ve never experienced at a Diamond League event before," Stona admitted.

This meet not only marks his debut in the league but also his first major competition since becoming the first track and field athlete to enter the Diamond League post an Olympic win.

The Jamaican star’s lineup includes Lithuania's Alekna, currently leading this season with a throw of 74.35 meters, and Slovenian powerhouse Čeh, whose personal best stands at 71.86 meters.

"Each athlete here has proven their mettle. It’s not just about one good throw but about consistent performance," Stona noted.

Off the field, Stona's career choices are as discussed as his athletic prowess. Post-Olympics, he flirted with a career in American football, having tried out for NFL teams like the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints.

"It was very new to me.I've got a lot of thinking to do and a lot of decisions to make, " Stona commented on his foray into football. "

Stona's coach, American Ryan Crouser, believes that his transition from a 19th place at last year's World Championships in Budapest to an Olympic gold medallist has only begun to unfold his potential.

Beyond his personal achievements, Stona has been vocal about the broader issues facing field events in athletics, expressing disappointment over Michael Johnson’s new athletics circuit, which exclusively features track events.

"Field events should get more attention, to be honest," Stona expressed as per AFP.

"When I see something like that, it kind of demotivates us. We're putting in a lot of work as well, if not more. It's not easy. What we do is very repetitive. We've got to do a lot of maintenance."