The Jamaican government, through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, has announced a significant initiative to reward the nation’s delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. On Friday, Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange confirmed that JMD$45 million in appreciation grants will be disbursed to the accounts of 66 athletes and 21 athlete-support personnel. This gesture comes as a demonstration of the government’s gratitude for their dedication and representation of Jamaica on the global stage.
In a ceremony held at the Ministry in Kingston, symbolic envelopes were presented to several athletes, officials, and coaches. Among the athletes who collected their envelopes were shot put bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell, Shanieka Ricketts, Tajay Gayle, Traves Smikle, Samantha Hall, Roshawn Clarke, Malik James-King, Orlando Bennett, Jevaughn Powell, Shian Salmon, Janieve Russell, Kemba Nelson, Lloydricia Cameron, Deandre Watkin, Theodore Thomas, and Zandrian Barnes. Russell also collected on behalf of Tia Clayton.
Notable absentees included Roje Stona, Wayne Pinnock, Romaine Beckford, and Rasheed Broadbell.
The coaches and officials receiving grants included veteran coach Glen Mills, Michael Frater, Julian Robinson, Ann-Marie Smith, Ian Forbes, Dr. Noel Brown, Oral Thompson, Okele Stewart, and Ludlow Watts.
Minister Grange underscored the government’s commitment to supporting the nation’s athletes. “We have started the process which will lead up to the disbursement of JMD$45 million that the ministry is giving as appreciation grants to every single member of Jamaica’s team to the recent Olympic Games. Every individual who went to the Olympics will have funds deposited to their accounts as our appreciation for their participation,” she said. She further highlighted that this initiative was in addition to the JMD$20 million disbursed under the Athletes Assistance Programme to aid in preparations for the Paris Games.
Minister Grange also announced an additional gesture for junior athletes competing in the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, who will receive gift vouchers totalling JMD$760,000.
Veteran coach Glen Mills, who was among the recipients, expressed his gratitude for the historic initiative. “I want to thank the minister for the love she has shown the sport and the efforts that she has made to recognize the efforts of the athletes, coaches, masseurs, and administrators. It’s a wonderful thing. I think this is probably the first in history that such a wide recognition has been made,” he said. Mills also lauded the achievements of Jamaica’s field-event athletes. “For the first time in the history of Jamaica’s track and field, they have outdone the sprinters and saved us from coming home without a gold medal.”
Rajindra Campbell, who made history with his shot put medal, also shared his appreciation for the government’s gesture. “There have been a few whispers around that the track athletes didn’t perform as they should, ignoring the significance of what we have accomplished for the country. Regardless of the medal I had won, it is still a Jamaican that did it. I’m still a member of the Jamaican team,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the contributions of all athletes.
Olympic triple jump silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts joined Campbell in praising the government for the initiative.
The grants highlight a growing recognition of Jamaica’s athletes across various disciplines, celebrating not just their performance but their effort and dedication to representing the nation on one of the world’s biggest stages.