Jamaica’s Sports Minister, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, has hinted that the country's field events athletes may soon have a dedicated training facility, following the impressive performances of athletes in recent years. Grange made the announcement on Friday during an event at her ministry, where athletes, coaches, and officials who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics were presented with symbolic envelopes, representing their share of JMD$45 million promised to those who attended the Games.
Jamaica’s field events athletes were instrumental in the country’s success at the Paris Olympics, contributing four of the nation's six medals, including the only gold medal. Roje Stona made history by setting an Olympic record of 70m to win Jamaica’s first-ever discus gold medal, while Rajindra Campbell secured the country’s first-ever Olympic medal in shot put, earning a bronze. Additionally, Wayne Pinnock won silver in the men’s long jump, and Shanieka Ricketts became the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic medal in the triple jump, taking home a silver.
“We have been dominant, particularly in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relays so we have established ourselves as the sprint factory of the world,” Grange said, acknowledging Jamaica's rich sprinting tradition. “But we have been doing well in the field events and we really must applaud the coaches and the athletes.”
In recent times Jamaica has witnessed the rise of field athletes like Jaydon Hibbert, who has won two World U20 triple jump titles, Tajay Gayle, the 2019 World Champion in the long jump with a national record, and Shanieka Ricketts, who has earned two silver medals at World Championships in the triple jump, as evidence of the nation’s growing success in these disciplines.
In light of these successes, Grange revealed that the government is prioritizing the development of field event facilities. “In the re-development of the National Stadium, we have taken into consideration that we need a facility for field events,” she shared. “At this particular time, we are looking at one or two locations in the vicinity of the National Stadium. So, you can look forward to your own space.”
This announcement follows Jamaica’s growing reputation in field events, where the country is continuing to make strides on the global stage. Outside of the United States and Eastern Bloc nations, Jamaica is now the first country to ever win Olympic gold in the discus event. Additionally, the country's success in field events is not just a result of individual brilliance, but also the work of dedicated coaches and support staff who have been integral in nurturing talent.
As Jamaica prepares to invest in its field event infrastructure, the sport is set to grow even further, and the country’s athletes can look forward to even greater opportunities for training and competition.