Grange Welcomes Rio Stars, Pledges to Work Towards Providing First Class Facilities for Athletes
By: , September 14, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Contributed
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange shares a moment with members of Jamaica’s team to the Rio Olympic Games at a welcome reception held last evening at the Norman Manley International Airport. (From left) Christania Williams, Stephenie Ann McPherson, Shericka Jackson, Elaine Thompson, Julian Forte and Megan Simmonds. The moment was also shared with Patrick King, Director, Customer Solutions at Digicel, Gabrielle Banbury-Kelly, Acting Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at the National Commercial Bank and Dr. Warren Blake, President of the Jamaica Administrative Athletic Association (JAAA).The Facts
- Minister Grange also noted that the Ministry would be focusing on initiatives to ensure that Jamaica continues to unearth, nurture and promote world class athletic talent at all levels.
- The Minister also indicated that members of Jamaica’s Paralympic team, who are presently competing in Rio, will also be included in the Salute to the Rio Sports Ambassadors programme of activities in October.
The Full Story
The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has welcomed several members of Jamaica’s contingent to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games who arrived at Norman Manley International Airport last night (Tuesday).
The returning delegation included: Elaine Thompson (Gold 100m, Gold 200m, Silver 4x100m); Christania Williams (Silver 4x100m); Shericka Jackson (Bronze 400, Silver 4x400m); Stephenie Ann McPherson (Silver 4x400m); Megan Simmonds (semifinal 100m hurdles); Julian Forte (reserve 200m); Stephen Francis (Coach); Collin Turner (Physio); Damion Rowe (Physio) and Aundre Edwards (Assistant Manager).
At a welcome reception for members of the delegation, Minister Grange said:
“This outstanding group — and indeed all members of Team Jamaica at the Rio Olympic Games — return home in glory and to the love of a grateful nation. Each member of the team, in his or her own way, brought glory and honour to Jamaica.
“We will recognise and celebrate the achievements of all members of the team in a special programme of activities next month. It will be around Heroes’ weekend. I just want to assure the nation that we are planning something special.
“Our athletes, coaches and support staff did very well and I know the country expects us as a Government to do what is appropriate to ensure that they continue to feel appreciated and supported.”
Minister Grange also noted that the Ministry would be focusing on initiatives to ensure that Jamaica continues to unearth, nurture and promote world class athletic talent at all levels.
“We can’t give our athletes money enough to really compensate for the glory and the honour that they’ve brought to Jamaica.
“Athletes want to see that their work is recognised by us creating a legacy that will be lasting; that we provide better infrastructure; that we provide better support for them; and that we ensure that the nursery of young athletes coming out of the basic schools, the primary schools, secondary schools — that we would have ensured that they have better facilities and better opportunities. I know that’s what you want. And that you don’t have to fly out to go and get treatment when you need it, but that we will work towards providing first class facilities for our first class athletes.”
The Minister also indicated that members of Jamaica’s Paralympic team, who are presently competing in Rio, will also be included in the Salute to the Rio Sports Ambassadors programme of activities in October.