From Track to Triumph: Saint Lucian Giving Back to Young Athletes

A former collegiate athlete from Soufrière is empowering student-athletes in the United States through her 758 Summerthlete Programme. Udoka Constantine, a former track and field athlete at Coppin State University where she competed for the Eagles, is dedicated to ensuring that the next generation of Saint Lucian student-athletes thrive academically and athletically. Her programme brings athletes together after the academic year to celebrate their achievements and network as proud representatives of Saint Lucia, united by their shared passion for sports. It also emphasises the importance of giving back to the community. “As young adults blessed with opportunities to study abroad and pursue our athletic dreams through scholarships, it’s our duty to use those blessings to uplift others,” Constantine said. “Fostering well-rounded personal growth through athletics is like uniting two worlds: professional development, representing their future careers, and personal growth, fueled by their emerging love for sports. Athletics instils discipline, teamwork, time management, and resilience—skills that extend far beyond sports.” Reflecting on her personal journey, Constantine credits sports with paving the way for her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and become a licensed registered nurse in the US—a dream she’s held since childhood.  “Growing up as a young...