“They will all get the same treatment, not just the medalists,” Minister Grange said as she welcomed home Candice McLeod, Demish Gaye, Sean Bailey and Tovea Jenkins earlier this week. She also welcomed back President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Christopher Samuda, Head Coach Maurice Wilson and several other coaches and team manager Ludlow Watts.
In welcoming home the contingent, the Minister promised that greater assistance for the country’s athletes was in the pipeline.
“The Government realizes that it is not easy for all the athletes. Some of them come from really humble backgrounds and challenging situations,” she said of the team that won nine medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games, including four gold medals, one silver and four bronze medals.
“I am repeating this, do not to hesitate in letting me know what help you need. I may not be able to do all but I will certainly help as much as I can. I am here for you, whatever the ups and downs, we will face them together going forward. I am saying to the JOA here today that we must work together as a family.”
Minister Grange emphasized that whatever the differences that exist among organizations in the sector, “It is important that we come together from now because over the next three years we will be faced with major international meets, the World Games in Eugene, Oregon in the United States in 2022, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, also in 2022, culminating with the Paris Olympics in 2024. Around the corner is the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya from August 17 to 21.”
The sports minister said she was impressed by the youthfulness, manners and humility that characterized the delegation that went to the Tokyo Olympics. “I got a response in return for every message that I Whatsapped to every one of them who I reached out to,” she said.
“Freddie Green was a kind and affable man,” said Minister Grange, who also offered condolences to Freddie Green’s family and friends.
“He was a sportsman through and through. He was an outstanding athlete from his high school days when he represented Kingston College in three disciplines — football, cricket, and track and field — helping them to win national titles in all three.
Later, he became a teacher of physical education, a football coach, Director of Sports at the University of the West Indies, General Secretary of ISSA for more than 30 years, and an IAAF track official. He also found time to represent Jamaica in volleyball.
Freddie served sports faithfully throughout his life and is one of the finest athletes and sports administrators Jamaica has produced.”
Green was seen as one of the key figures who orchestrated the merger between the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships in 1999, which made the annual athletics meet one of the largest high school track meets in the world.
Clarke, who was 100 years old, died at her home in Florida on Monday.
“I am sad at the passing of Isis Clarke-Reid, an extraordinary woman who helped to lay the foundation for what Jamaica has achieved in track and field. I had received news of her failing health and had been making preparations to visit her overseas when the COVID crisis disrupted international travel,” Minister Grange said.
“Long before Shelly-Ann Frazer-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown or Merlene Ottey, there was Isis Clarke, competing on dirt tracks; setting and breaking records; and helping to establish Jamaica as a serious competitor in the sport.”
Isis Clarke was a versatile athlete, competing in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and 80 metres low hurdles.
She first represented Jamaica in international competition at the 1938 Central American and Caribbean Games held in Panama City. There, she, Gertrude Messam, Rhona Saunders and Beryl Delgado won the bronze medal in the 4x100 metres relay. At the 1946 CAC Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, Clarke was a member of the Jamaican team that won the silver medal in the 4x100 metres relay, running with Cynthia Thompson, Hyacinth Walters and Cynthia Llewlyn.
She was also a strong advocate for women in athletics, which she described as being ‘good for health’ in a 1938 newspaper quote.
“As a nation, we are grateful for the part that Isis Clarke-Reid, the ‘Champion Girl Sprinter’ played in Jamaica’s sports development. We are thankful for her long life—100 years—and the inspiration that she has been and will continue to be,” Minister Grange said.
“I offer sincerest condolences to her family and friends.”
“Everything must be done to assist Kemoy,” said Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange.
The Olympian reported on social media that he underwent surgery on the weekend to replace an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) in his chest after passing out while driving. He said the new device would also function as a pacemaker.
Minister Grange said she was “relieved that Kemoy was not hurt when he passed out while driving and that the surgery was a success.”
She thanked all those who have been attending to the athlete and said the Ministry “stands ready to assist him.”
Minister Grange said Campbell was covered under the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan — which provides health, life and personal accident coverage — and he is entitled to use it to deal with medical expenses.
Under the Group Health component of the Plan, Campbell can get 80 per cent coverage for hospital fees. Minister Grange said the Ministry would assist him with the balance if required.
“We continue to pray for Kemoy’s recovery and will do what is necessary to assist him at this time,” Minister Grange said.
