Jodi Goodridge could be in doubt for the Pan American Track Cycling Championships next week after suffering an eye infection.

Goodridge missed Friday night's First Citizens Sport Foundation Youth Awards function at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain due to the condition, where she featured heavily as the Female Youth of the Year. See Page 70

Her father, Peter Goodridge collected the award in her absence. He said that Jodi is hoping to be ready for the Pan Am Champs, where she is hoping to debut as a senior international cyclist.

In fact, Jodi's management is charting a course for the 18-year-old sprinter over the next three years.

"Her plan is for the Olympics in 2016 and we're looking after that," the elder Goodridge said. "She supposed to be out of the country from the third to the 10th (of February) in Mexico, that's the Pan Am Games. We're looking at gold again, but right now she has a little (eye infection). But we are trying to see if we can still go, and represent Trinidad and Tobago."

He also detailed Jodi's record-breaking performance at the recent national trials held at Arima Velodrome, where she broke the women's Flying 200 metres record with a 13.439 clocking.

"Her goal was always to do that. To be the best female cyclist in Trinidad and Tobago. A day we sit down and talk, and I told her, 'you know girl, you real good'. She was off her training for a little while, and the coach (Fitzroy Daniel) told her 'Jodi, you're a natural. We're still going to put an effort in the 200 and try our best.' And she came out and still broke the record. So the next move is to continue training hard."

Depending on her performances in the first half of the year, Jodi may also be in line to compete at World Cup events, and her father is hoping competing with other international women cyclists will help her improve further.

Peter Goodridge couldn't help but beam with pride as he talked about his daughter's achievements.

"I feel so good as a parent...an only parent. Her mom passed away (a few years ago). I would have been so (proud) if her mother was here to see what she's doing. But what can I say? I'm mammy and daddy, and anywhere she going, I going."