On the brink of securing an Olympic berth in the historic city of Paris, Jamaica’s 2024 Men’s National 200m champion, Bryan Levell, has reached out to the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) for support. The JOA responded with a substantial investment of JMD$1,000,000.00 to aid his preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Levell, an Edwin Allen High graduate and a decorated Champs, Carifta, and Under-20 World Championship medalist, recently made a significant impact at the National Senior and Junior Championships where he ran a lifetime best of 9.97 in the 100m and won the national 200m title in another lifetime best of 19.97.
His remarkable performance cemented his status on the big stage and garnered the attention and support of the JOA.
In acknowledging the support, Levell expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am very proud to be the first recipient of the award, which will be very beneficial with me not having any support. By giving me this award, the JOA is supporting my dreams and aspirations."
The JOA’s swift and affirmative response to Levell’s request was anticipated. "Excellence and merit cannot be purchased; they are earned by giving it your all and do not subscribe to a ‘buy one, get one free’ mentality. It is this philosophy, this conviction, that drove the JOA to answer the call of Bryan and his team for support," stated JOA Secretary General and CEO, Ryan Foster.
Foster emphasized the significance of this partnership, describing it as "more than a smile and talk; it is a handshake that acknowledges excellence, empathizes with a need, and shares in an Olympic dream that has become a reality. It is a firm handshake of mutuality that says we’re in this together in realizing Bryan’s aspirations and for Jamaica’s glory."
Levell’s manager, Damia Russell, praised Levell’s resilience and determination in the face of having "zero sponsorship." She stated, "Bryan intends to advocate and show other young boys and girls that dreams do come true and hard work works."
The JOA’s commitment to supporting athletes is further reflected in their view that "making your mark is not time-bound or dependent on a condition that you must know your place until someone gives you space. It is grasping the moment in time, creating your space, and owning a place in history, which Bryan is doing," emphasized Foster.
The JOA's President, Christopher Samuda, added, "We have a social contract with our sportsmen and women who are our business, livelihood, and lifeblood. We are delivering opportunities on a level playing field, and with this financial investment, we are levelling the vibes for Bryan now so that he can ‘tun up di vibes’ as he pursues his athletic career and academic goals."
In a historic move in 2021, the JOA inaugurated and invested millions of dollars in its own coaches’ scholarship program, complementing the existing Olympic solidarity scholarships for athletes. At the official launch of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in May, the governing body announced increased financial support to other athletes, including Malik James-King, Samantha Hall, Shanieka Ricketts, and Nayoka Clunis, all of whom have earned a place on Jamaica’s track and field team for the Olympic Games.
The JOA’s "Young Olympic Changemakers" award serves as an Olympic appetizer for young athletes who thirst and hunger for, and indeed achieve, excellence. Bryan Levell's journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics is a testament to this commitment.
Olympics here we come: Red Stripe taking ten winners of “Guh fi Gold & Glory” promotion to Paris
The 2024 Olympics will be an unforgettable experience for the ten winners of the Red Stripe “Guh fi Gold & Glory” promotion.
From May 1 to June 28, Red Stripe rolled out a series of promotional events in support of the upcoming Olympic Games, from which 10 consumers have secured a unique opportunity to enjoy the Games live from the Stade de France in Paris.
To enter the promotion, consumers had to purchase six Red Stripes and send in their receipt via WhatsApp.
Out of the scores of people that entered, Samanthia Gordon, Solomon Hutchinson, Andre Davis, Nicola Bryce, Deborah Cole, Delroy Lee Rose, Princess Hibbert, Osbert Bailey, Johnell Benson and Danielle McKenzie were the lucky ten competition winners.
An additional 11 people from Red Stripe as well as various sister companies as well as customers will also be making the trip.
On Saturday, July 13, the winners, as well as others who will make the trip as part of Red Stripe’s contingent, were on hand at the company for a special handover event and celebration.
Two of the promotion winners, McKenzie and Rose, expressed excitement at the prospect of going to the Olympics.
“I’m very excited. I can’t wait to see the country and the attractions and, obviously, to cheer on team Jamaica,” McKenzie told Sportsmax.tv.
“Ecstatic,” was Rose’s response, noting that this will be his very first time travelling out the country.
“I will fully enjoy it. I thank Red Stripe because, out of all the people to enter, to be selected must be a divine intervention. I’ll be a proud representative of Jamaica,” he added.
The winners were also gifted with travel kits including items like branded shirts, jackets and cups as well as pot covers and vuvuzelas that will surely be used to cheer on the team in Paris.
Brand Manager for Red Stripe, Nathan Nelms, gave Sportsmax.tv insight into the motivation behind this initiative for the company.
“We really wanted to give our consumers a taste of the celebrations that will be happening in Paris. We are sure everybody locally will be watching on TV to cheer on team Jamaica, however, we wanted to give a very small group the opportunity to see the team live in Paris and give them an experience of a lifetime,” he said.
“We’ve come a long way since our signing of a big partnership with the Jamaica Olympic Association back in 2023. We’ve done so much to make sure that there is this rally cry that is built for the Jamaica Olympic Team,” he added.
In addition to getting to view the Olympics live, the winners will be given tours of various attractions in the French capital including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
Athletics at the Olympic Games will take place from August 1-11.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce set for Switzerland showdown ahead of Final Olympic quest
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is set to compete in Switzerland on Tuesday as she gears up for what will be her final Olympic Games in Paris this summer. The 37-year-old Jamaican sprint queen aims to extend her record by winning a fifth Olympic 100m medal in Paris, solidifying her legacy as the greatest female 100m sprinter of all time.
Fraser-Pryce’s remarkable Olympic journey began with gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. She then captured a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games, despite battling an injured toe, and followed up with a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games. This incredible feat made her the first and only woman to win medals in the 100m at four consecutive Olympic Games.
In the recent Jamaica National Championships, Fraser-Pryce finished third in the 100m behind Shericka Jackson (10.84) and first-time Olympic qualifier Tia Clayton (10.90). Fraser-Pryce clocked 10.98 in the preliminaries, 10.91 in the semifinals, and 10.94 in the final, showcasing her enduring speed and competitive spirit.
As she prepares for her final Olympic appearance, Fraser-Pryce will compete at the Luzern meeting on Tuesday, marking her return to European soil since the 2023 World Championships. This event will likely be her last race before the Paris Olympics. Last year at the Luzern meeting, she clocked an impressive 10.82 seconds, demonstrating her elite performance level.
Fraser-Pryce, who will turn 38 in December, is poised to make her final push for Olympic glory. With five world titles in the 100m to her name, she remains a formidable competitor on the track. Her participation in Switzerland is not only a critical part of her Olympic preparations but also a chance for fans to witness one of the sport's legends in action one last time before she aims for another historic performance in Paris.
Christania Williams, Wendell Miller, and Shafiqua Maloney triumph at Sport Solidarieta Meeting in Italy
Jamaica’s Christania Williams, Bahamian Wendell Miller, and Shafiqua Maloney of St Vincent and the Grenadines, emerged victorious in their respective events at the 35th International Meeting 'Sport Solidarieta' held at the G. Teghill Stadium in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, on Sunday.
Williams, who was notably absent from the Jamaica National Championships two weeks ago, ran a season’s best of 11.24 seconds to win the women’s 100m in a thrilling photo finish. She edged out the USA's Celera Barnes, who was also credited with the same time. Serena Cole secured third place with a season’s best of 11.26 seconds, just ahead of her MVP Track Club teammate Krystal Sloley, who clocked 11.27 seconds for fourth.
In the men’s 100m, Gary Card was the top Caribbean finisher, placing fourth with a time of 10.39 seconds. The event was won by the USA’s Kendall Williams, who crossed the line in 10.21 seconds.
Bahamas' Wendell Miller delivered a standout performance in the men’s 400m, clocking an impressive 45.67 seconds to claim victory. He finished ahead of Daequan Butler, who posted 46.22 seconds, and Abdelmalik Lahoulou, who achieved a lifetime best of 46.52 seconds for third place.
Shafiqua Maloney continued her preparations for the Paris Olympic Games with a commanding win in the women’s 400m. Representing St Vincent and the Grenadines, Maloney set a meet record with a time of 50.63 seconds, comfortably outpacing her competitors. Jamaica’s Stephenie-Ann McPherson, who plans to retire after the Olympic Games in Paris, finished second in 51.51 seconds. Ama Pipp took third place with a time of 52.17 seconds.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Yeral Nunez of the Dominican Republic set a meet record, winning the race in 48.58 seconds, further highlighting the level of competition at the event.
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