History-making Jamaican Olympian Toni-Ann Williams has expressed her excitement and optimism at being appointed Technical Director of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association. Nicole Grant, the association’s president made the announcement this past weekend about the appointment of Williams, who in 2016 became the first ever gymnast to represent the country at an Olympic Games.

In an exclusive interview with Sportsmax.TV, Williams detailed her vision for the future of the sport in Jamaica.

“Yeah, I'm really excited about the position,” Williams shared. “I think it's something we've not had before in the organization, especially when I started there. I want to be able to bring a level, a little more organization, a little more direction, put some values and some motives behind the organization.”

Williams, 28, is determined to leverage her extensive experience and educational background—including degrees in Legal Studies, Social Welfare, and a Master’s in Sports Ethics and Integrity—to enhance the structure and support within the association. “I think before, we've had really great representatives of the movement, but I think now we have more people supporting Jamaica gymnastics to be able to facilitate from the smallest things, helping to make sure they get to their hotel on time, and who's able to go to competitions and, you know, to the big things, like, you know, helping to find funding and things like that.”

Reflecting on her own journey, Williams is committed to giving back to the sport and aiding its development in Jamaica. “Being able to have a support system, especially from people who've been there, done that, is, I would have really appreciated as an athlete. And so this is my way of being able to give back to the athletes and being able to help Jamaica gymnastics get to the vision that we see.”

Adding to the excitement, the appointment of her former coach, Mladen Stefanov, a former Bulgarian Olympic gymnast, as Head Coach, promises to further elevate Jamaica’s gymnastics program. “Mladen has been the head coach on and off throughout the years, even since when I was a gymnast, and he always brings such a great energy. All the athletes from past and present love working with him,” said Williams.

Williams and Stefanov’s combined expertise is expected to drive significant advancements. “We already have a great foundation, so we communicate super well, and he understands, obviously, the technical coaching side, and I being able to bring my experience as an athlete, so both of our experiences come together really well, and being able to help the athletes and being able to figure out what's best for what competition should we go to, what skills work, what routines don't work and that's not something we've had before.”

Looking ahead, Williams is hopeful about the potential for growth despite the resource challenges. “Of course, we have a long way coming, and, of course, we need more resources, but being able to have people like myself being able to help Nicole Grant, being able to pilot these initiatives, I'm really excited about, and really, I think it's really great for the future of Jamaica Gymnastics.”

Williams believes this strategic leadership is a crucial step towards elevating Jamaica’s presence in the gymnastics world. “We have a lot of powerhouses like USA and Brazil; of course, they have the resources, but they also have people who know the sport really well and have people that support. And I think that's a great start for Jamaica, to start having people in the corner who understand the sport, understand what's needed, understand the athlete's point of view, to be able to support them, and hopefully that's a step forward towards more resources and more opportunities for the athletes,” she opined.

Jamaica’s Gymnastics Association (JAGA) president, Nicole Grant says securing hosting rights for the inaugural Carifta Gymnastics Championships not only marks another milestone achievement for her administration, but more importantly, signifies the country’s continued growth in the sport.

Though the region has been known for the Carifta Games and Carifta Swimming Championships, where rising stars showcase their athletics and aquatic prowess across various age groups, there has never been an outlet for gymnast.

That prompted Grant and others to work with the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) to conceptualize the Carifta Gymnastics Championships, which is set for November 29-30 at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

“Hosting the inaugural Carifta Gymnastics Championships is a significant achievement for Jamaica Gymnastics. It showcases Jamaica's commitment to the sport and its ability to organize a major regional event. Carifta has been around for many years but gymnastics hasn’t been part of it and because of the technicality of the sport,” Grant told SportsMax.TV.

“This event provides a platform for gymnasts in the Caribbean region to compete and showcase their talents. It also helps to promote gymnastics in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, inspiring more young athletes to take up the sport. Overall, hosting such a prestigious event is a great honor and a testament to Jamaica's growing presence in the gymnastics community,” she added.

Olympian Toni-Ann Williams and Coach Mladen Stefanov.

Grant explained that Jamaica found favour with the PAGU since last year’s successful staging of the Pan American Hopes tournament, and she is eager to deliver another fine spectacle.

“We were seen as a country that has the capability of hosting tournaments of this level and therefore we were given the nod. There were three other countries in the running to host the tournament, which included Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Bahamas,” Grant shared.

“I can tell you that Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Bahamas, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands are already confirmed to participate, and each country is expected to bring about 20-30 athletes, at a minimum. So while we wait on other countries to confirm their participation, we are focused on delivering what we hope will be a memorable first staging,” she declared.

On another note, Grant revealed that Jamaica has also secured the services of Olympian Toni-Ann Williams as Technical Director with her former coach Mladen Stefanov, set to guide the country’s team which begins preparation next month.

“Toni-Ann will be working with us on a monthly basis. She will begin in July with a camp for the team competing at the Carifta Gymnastics Championships and Mladen Stefanov will be the Head Coach for the senior male and female teams. He was Toni-Ann’s coach throughout her years as gymnasts and has worked with us over the years, so we are pleased to have them both on our technical team,” she noted.

Prior to the Carifta Gymnastics Championships, Grant pointed out that Jamaica’s athletes will engage two overseas training camps, in Canada and China, to fine-tune techniques and routines.

“The China camp is a part of the bilateral agreement between both ministries of sports and is the final leg of that camp. Also, our higher level local gymnasts will have a four-week camp in Canada to also prepare for the tournament,” she ended.

Jamaican Olympian Toni-Ann Williams has achieved a remarkable milestone by obtaining her Master's Degree in Ethics and Integrity, with distinction, a significant feat made possible through an Olympic Solidarity Scholarship provided by the Jamaica Olympic Association.

Having pursued her postgraduate degree at renowned institutions across Europe, including Ku Leuven in Belgium, Charles University in Prague, the University of Peloponnese in Greece, the University of Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain, and the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität in Mainz, Germany, Williams absorbed diverse cultures and communities throughout her academic journey.

"Being able to adapt and integrate myself into different communities and cultures was really exciting," said a grateful Williams whose post-graduate thesis was themed “Safeguarding regulations in American collegiate sport: Ethical comparative analysis of Title IX and SafeSport.

The now 27-year-old athlete, who made history in 2016 as the first gymnast to represent Jamaica at the Rio Olympic Games, embarked on this academic journey with determination, studying various aspects of sports ethics and integrity.

Reflecting on her two-year educational odyssey, Williams expressed immense fulfillment, stating, "It was very fulfilling. I'm very excited to be able to celebrate two years of hard work to accomplish this master's degree." She underscored the critical importance of studying sports ethics and integrity, given the myriad decisions and governance challenges that pervade the sporting world.

A graduate in Legal Studies and Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, in Europe Williams delved deep into topics such as anti-doping policies, ethical considerations, safeguarding, corruption, and betting within the realm of sports. Her scholarly endeavors were fueled by a desire to effect positive change in the sporting arena, particularly in gymnastics and her native Jamaica.

“Being able to bring that back to not only gymnastics, but to Jamaica and how I can bring positive change to the sporting world for everybody, it was really fulfilling to be able to accomplish something like this, especially within a program overseas,” she said.

“Never living in Europe for the, you know, ever, and being able to put myself into a new culture and community, it's really fulfilling to be able to accomplish something like this."

One of the most rewarding aspects of her program was the opportunity to connect with individuals passionate about sports and ethics from around the world, expanding her network and forming valuable friendships. "I got to meet so many great people, so many smart, intelligent, important people," Williams remarked.

However, her academic journey was not without its challenges, as she navigated the complexities of studying in different countries every six months, requiring meticulous planning and organization.

"I think the most challenging part about the program is, as I mentioned, is being is traveling to different cultures and communities and countries every six months.

"It's tough because alongside studying in academia, um, you're also having to be a travel agent. You're having to sort out your own visa, your accommodation, your flights and plan everything well in advance on top of studying and reading and doing all these things for research.

“So this is a very unique part about this program and probably was the most difficult and more mentally draining. And I think that's what makes it super unique and it made it really challenging but it has taught me so many skills that I can bring now into my life in terms of being able to multi-task in project management and do all sorts of things like that.”

Her academic journey also equipped her with the tools and perspective to drive positive change, and she is committed to fostering a more empathetic and understanding sporting environment that transcends stereotypes and celebrates diversity.

“I think the most eye-opening thing was understanding that there are stereotypes and that people also come with stereotypes about you being Jamaican with an American accent definitely raises a lot of questions,” she revealed.

"And being able to be empathetic and understanding and also encouraging other people to be empathetic and understanding and to understand that you're not your stereotype or who people think you are, or judging a book by its cover.

“Being able to be empathetic and being respectful when in other people's countries and understanding their differences and celebrating it. I think that's something I feel like I've learned.”

Now armed with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Williams has taken up a position with LA28, the organizing committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be hosted in Los Angeles, California. As part of the athlete fellowship program, Williams contributes to LA28's initiative to provide athletes with a more prominent voice within the organization of the Olympic Games.

In her role within the community relations department, Williams is focused on enhancing community preparedness for the international influx that accompanies the Olympic Games. She is actively involved in initiatives to bolster youth sports, engage local businesses in decision-making processes, and strengthen the bonds between the Olympic Games and the Los Angeles community.

Williams is optimistic about the future and her ability to contribute to the development of sports, particularly gymnastics, in Jamaica. She emphasized the importance of ethical governance, transparency, accountability, and athlete-centered leadership in building a stronger foundation for the sport.

"I think in many ways I can help gymnastics in Jamaica, and not just gymnastics but other sports, but specifically for gymnastics, understanding, learning about governance and the ethics behind governance and transparency and accountability and how ethical leadership could can conduct themselves in order to be more athlete centered," she concluded.

"And I think we can help build a stronger organization and association for gymnastics, have a stronger foundation, give athletes what they need to thrive mentally and physically. I know it's not going to be immediate help right now, but it's something that can be built over the years and I think we need to start with a strong foundation to be able to build upon and be able to have a better sport for Jamaica.”

Jamaican Olympian Toni-Ann Williams is in Belgium to begin studies in Sports Administration on an Olympic Solidarity Scholarship via the Jamaica Olympic Association.