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Jamaican Athletes on First Leg to London 2012
17/07/2012 09:02:36 PM
- Jamaican Supporters in London's Trafalgar Square during the 2009 Olympic Games
As the Olympic Games in London approach, team Jamaica prepares for what is sure to be an exciting and extremely successful period. Aflurry of activity surrounds the 50 athletes from 4 sporting disciplines that willmake up the nation’s team at the Games, which run from July 27- August 12. Besides its notorious Track & Field athletes, Jamaica’s team also boasts equestrian Samantha Albert who will be competing in eventing, swimmer Alia Atkinson who will be undertaking the 100m breaststroke event, and Jamaica’s first ever tae kwon do specialist Kenneth Edwards who will compete in the 84 kg weight class. A team of 22 officials ledby Chef de Mission Don Anderson will also accompany the talented team tothe United Kingdom.
The athletics team will participate in a training campat the University of Birmingham located in Birmingham, United Kingdom from July15-26. The University’s homepage reflects their pleasure in hosting the team, stating proudly “World’s fastest team arrives on campus: Warm Welcome for the Jamaican Track and Field Team in Birmingham”, and boasts an article reflecting the honour of hosting the team from the perspective of the Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences, the Director of Sport, a Jamaican postgraduate student and camp volunteer, and a and University of Birmingham athlete. Frankie Conway, the University of Birmingham athlete, who will be assisting with supporting the team during their stay states, “Having the Jamaican athletics team come to Birmingham to train ahead of the London Olympics is a true honour and privilege. As a keen runner myself, I am fascinated to see how such world class athletes conduct themselves, and how they prepare both physically and mentally ahead of the biggest event of their careers. It is absolutely crucial we as volunteers make our guests feel welcome and provide a highly professional service, ensuring we keep the athletes safe and cater for their every need.”Although a few athletes will leave the camp to participate in an athletic meet in Europe, they will return to the camp and will leave as a collective on the morning of July 26 for the athlete’s village in London. The University of Birmingham will also host a formal dinner for the team on July 23.
In addition to The University of Birmingham’s celebration of the team, the Jamaican Diaspora will be putting on a farewell concert for the athletes on July 25, featuring Jamaican artistes. The concert, which is being hosted by the Association of Jamaican Nationals (Birmingham) UK in association with Birmingham City Council, the Jamaican High Commission and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), will feature Musical Youth, Jimmy James, Carlton Curtis, Skibu, the Horizon Youth Choir, the Aston Youth Academy and veteran artiste Count Prince Miller. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the JAAA for sports development in Jamaica.
The athletes, clad in their stylish outfits designed by Cedella Marley, daughter of late Jamaican Reggae legend Bob Marley,will then participate in the opening ceremony on July 27. The ceremony features several exciting events including receiving the Head of State, the parade of athletes, speeches, the hoisting of the Olympic flag, oaths from both athletes and judges vowing to participate according to the rules of their respective sports, performances, and, of course, the carrying of the Olympic torch andlighting of the Cauldron which will continue to burn for the entire duration ofthe Games. The Jamaica Team Captain will be announced in the coming days.
- Jamaica Olympic Association
