Being selected to attend the Commonwealth Youth Games is at the top of Felix McDonald's list.
The 17-year-old Taieri athlete, who attends King's High School, has been nominated to attend the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in August.
''I hope I get selected for this team,'' he said.
At the end of this year's athletics season, Felix was selected for the Athletics New Zealand Pathway to Podium (P2P) programme for 2015-16.
Felix, who is the only one from Otago, will join a squad of 30 from throughout the country who have been identified as contenders for the 2020 and/or 2024 Olympic Games.
''I set a goal to get into that squad. I didn't think I had made it until I received the email. It really summed up the season for me.
''This will open doors and it will help me to reach my full potential ... helping me get to the places where I want to go - the 2020, 2024 Olympic Games.
''It's the love of the sport. I like putting in the hard work. I am always trying to be the best that I can be,'' he said.
Felix's long jump record is 6.89m and his personal bests for 110m and 400m hurdles are 14.30sec and 55.96sec.
''When I put in the hard work - the work that makes you feel sick - I know it will be worth it six months down the track. I will be trying to peak three times this season rather than two.''
Felix started athletics at the age of 11 for Taieri.
''I haven't stopped focusing on athletics since. I like the people that are around you, the competition and the environment. The school team environment ... I couldn't run by myself without the team support. I really like the energy. It's quite individual but it is also very team-related.''
McDonald is following in the footsteps of his father, Alan, who held the long jump record for Taieri for 15 years.
''I am jumping far further than he used to when he was my age. He is happy with how I am going. I wouldn't be going to these big events without my parents and their support,'' he said.
The final Commonwealth Youth Games team will be named on May 20.
Recent achievements
• South Island Champs 2014: 1st U16 400m, 1st U16 long jump, 1st U16 100m hurdles.
• Otago-Southland Champs 2014: 1st U16 400m, 1st U16 long jump, 1st U16 100m hurdles.
• Otago Champs 2014: 1st U16 400m - record set, 1st U16 long jump, 1st U16 100m hurdles.
• NZ Athletics Champs 2013: 2nd junior long jump, 3rd junior 400m.
