JOA plans $250m investment for next Olympics

THE JAMAICA Olympic Association (JOA) will be investing a quarter-billion dollars in the nation’s athletes towards their preparation and development for LA 2028, the next Olympic Games.

Ryan Foster, CEO/secretary-general of the JOA, disclosed plans for the unprecedented spend to enhance the country’s representatives at the US-based Games, while rewarding Jamaica’s medal winners at last summer’s Olympics, Paris 2024.

“The JOA wants to announce that we will be investing $250 million in our athletes in the next Olympic quadrennial for the LA 2028,” Foster announced at the event dubbed ‘Olympic Salute’, an awards ceremony held at Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

All medallists from the France Games received cash donations, and Jaydon Hibbert, fourth in the triple jump, was presented with the ‘Spirit Award’.

Foster gave a breakdown of the investment for the Los Angeles Games in four categories – Olympic and JOA scholarships, equipment grants, coaching scholarships, and Olympic travel grants.

It includes ‘Olympic and JOA Scholarships’ and grants for 12 athletes seeking to qualify for LA 2028 in the amount of $80 million over the Olympic cycle. He said the scholarship will be used for training, attending qualifying events, transportation, nutritional support and any technical upgrades needed to ensure that the athletes are getting access to the best possible technology.

Secondly, there will be an allocation for equipment grants of $50 million over the Olympic cycle (four years) for athletes seeking to qualify for LA 2028 and need the requisite assistance in procuring equipment needed to train and participate in Olympic qualifying events.

Then, $50 million has also been earmarked, for coaching scholarships, also over the quadrennial cycle.

“These scholarships are for national and elite coaches who are needed for the continued development and preparation of our athletes for the Olympic Games,” Foster highlighted.

The fourth investment – Olympic travel grants – amount to $70 million.

FUNDING ATHLETES

Foster pointed out that money will fund “all athletes seeking to qualify for the Olympic Games through participating in the various qualifying competitions over the quadrennial period”.

At Paris 2024, Jamaica won six medals (one gold, three silver, two bronze) to secure an overall placing of 44th. Roje Stone won gold in the men’s discus, while Shanieka Ricketts in the women’s triple jump, Wayne Pinnock in the men’s long jump and Kishane Thompson in the men’s 100 metres all won silver medals. Bronze medals were won by men’s sprint hurdler Rasheed Broadbell and Rajindra Campbell in the men’s shot put.

“The JOA’s policy of funding sports across the board continues to gain support. The field events earned the spotlight in Paris, and the Olympic Salute is, yet again, JOA’s continuing investment in those disciplines,” Foster said. “The JOA salutes you for that.”

“The JOA’s policy of funding sports across the board continues to gain support. The field events earned the spotlight in Paris, and the Olympic Salute is, yet again, JOA’s continuing investment in those disciplines,” he said.

The JOA awarded $3 million for the country’s gold medallist, $1.5 million each to the silver medallists, and $1 million for a bronze-medal finish.

Foster related that the JOA will continue to reward Jamaica’s athletes for excellence at the Olympics.

“At the end of this Olympic cycle culminating in LA 2028, we will salute again and, of course, it is hoped that this investment of $250 million will reap even greater dividends for our athletes,” he said.

“In anticipation of this, the JOA will set aside $50 million for the next ‘Salute’ as we know that we will be coming back with more medals. Total investment is $300 million.

“Continue to make the Jamaica Olympic Association and the Jamaican people proud as we continue to provide avenues for which we monetise your hard work and your brand.”