US hurdler David Payne talks model ships

Olympic silver and two-time world 110m hurdles bronze medallist David Payne is racking up quite a collection of precious metal with his on-track accomplishments. But the US athlete also has an impressive collection of model ships. spikesmag.com found out more.

“When I was little my uncle had train sets and model planes and ships in his basement and I think that’s when my interest started, but it was more just watching when I was younger. The collection really started when I began travelling to different countries through athletics and I started collecting them from all around the world. Places like Martinique and Jamaica have lots of models of boats and I’ve bought quite a lot from those countries. I have them all spread around the house.

"Why ships? Well, once you build a ship you can actually put it on the water and some model ships you can actually sail them. I also enjoy building the models and I have a Lusitania ship and one of the Titanic I’m making. I’m interested in ships from the Titanic era and definitely don’t go back as far as the Mayflower-type ships.

"I’m only about 15% to 20% of the way through the Titanic and because of my athletics commitments it could take a year to build. I’m working on the hull at the moment. You need to be patient, you need a steady hand and you need to be very careful where you place the pieces.

"Building the ships gives me peace and tranquility and it is almost like I meditate when I’m assembling. You are by yourself, which is very much like track and very much like the hurdles. In a similar way I don’t concern myself with people around me on the track and I just focus on myself.”