For more than half a century, Jamaican athletes have personified excellence on the global track and field stage. From the Olympic breakthroughs of Herb McKenley and Donald Quarrie, to the era-defining brilliance of Merlene Ottey, Deon Hemmings, Usain Bolt, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the island's sprinters and field athletes have become synonymous with speed, dominance, and flair.
They’ve inspired generations, sold out stadiums, broken world records, and perhaps most importantly, helped forge a global brand identity for Jamaica — one that stretches far beyond sport. But for too many of these athletes, especially those who competed before the advent of multimillion-dollar shoe deals and prize purses, retirement has been a lonely, uncertain road.
That reality needs to change. And the moment to act is now.
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica and key corporate partners, should launch a retirement and athlete transition fund — a long-term investment vehicle designed to support Jamaican athletes who have represented the country at the senior level.
The structure could be elegantly simple: Start with an initial investment of US$1 million, contributed jointly by the JAAA, the Ministry of Sport, and major sponsors. Every four years — timed with the Olympic cycle — inject another US$1 million. Invest these contributions in stable, income-generating instruments such as preferred stocks, which typically yield five to seven per cent annually.
If the dividends are reinvested, the fund would experience compounding growth. Over 10 years, the fund could grow to over US$4 million. Over 20 years, it could double or even triple that value, depending on performance.
That pool of capital could then be used to provide monthly pensions for retired athletes, fund coaching certifications, assist with medical emergencies or mental health services, support career transition programs to help athletes thrive after retirement.
It’s impossible to ignore the role Jamaican athletes have played in building the value of global footwear and apparel companies. Usain Bolt’s partnership with Puma, for example, elevated the brand’s visibility to new heights during his reign, with Jamaican colours and identity at the centre of the marketing machine. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s success, similarly, has boosted the value of her sponsors through international exposure and authenticity.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. Jamaica's track and field tradition has long been a reliable source of talent and charisma for the sport, producing consistent headliners for major global competitions. And while Donald Quarrie may not have been associated with any major shoe brand like today's stars, his contribution to Jamaican athletic legacy is etched in stone.
Given how much brand equity these athletes create — not only for Jamaica but for global corporations — it is only fair that part of that commercial success goes back into the system.
The JAAA should negotiate with shoe sponsors and apparel companies to include a solidarity contribution clause in contracts. Even a 0.5 per cent to one per cent contribution from shoe and apparel deals — channelled into the athlete fund — could, over time, generate hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars annually. That money wouldn't affect an athlete’s earnings significantly, but it could collectively sustain a retirement support system for generations.
This initiative isn’t about handouts. It’s about building infrastructure that matches the level of excellence Jamaican athletes display on the world stage.
The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Sport should support this effort with legislative frameworks and matching contributions. Corporate Jamaica — particularly brands like GraceKennedy, Digicel, Sagicor, and others who benefit from their association with track and field — should back it financially and publicly.
But to succeed, the fund must be managed independently and transparently, with qualified financial managers and trustees, annual audits and public reporting, strict criteria for athlete eligibility, caps on administrative expenses to ensure funds are used for athletes, not bureaucracy.
We often talk about legacy when an athlete retires — the medals, the records, the goose-bump moments. But we rarely ask: What is our legacy to them? What structure did we build to honour the years they gave representing Jamaica?
The JAAA has a chance to do more than select teams and organize meets. It has a chance to build something permanent, something transformational — a fund that says: We remember you. We value you. We are still running with you.
For a nation that has built its global identity in large part on the backs of these athletes, it’s the least we can do.