PM says what Jamaican Government’s spend on athletes’ celebration a token gesture
Oct 19, 2016, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....ion-a-token-gesture/
Jamaica Observer – Prime Minister Andrew Holness believes the Government’s Salute to Rio Sports Ambassadors Celebrations are justified, as the State could never repay the athletes for their role in building Brand Jamaica.
Holness dispelled questions raised about an estimated $82 million, inclusive of cash awards of between US$2,500 and US$10,000 for the athletes being allotted for the three-day celebration, which started on Friday.
“It’s a lovely night, but tonight (Saturday) belongs to the athletes. They have made us gather as one people, with one mission in Half-Way Tree; they kept you at the edge of your couch, willing them on thousands of miles away through your television for them to win.
“You shared in the thrill of their victory, and yes, we were sad when they didn’t win, but we still willed them on anyway because their victory is our victory,” Holness said while addressing those in attendance at the red-carpet event in saluting Jamaica’s Rio Olympians and Paralympians at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday.
“So, don’t ask what we are doing for our athletes… that should never be questioned because my answer is, we haven’t done enough. What we are doing here is just symbolic to show you, our athletes, that we care because you bring pride to our nation and you make Jamaicans’ pride high through the world, and we could never pay you for what you have done in building brand Jamaica,” he added.
Gold medallists were given US$10,000 (approximately $1.3 million) for each medal, while competitors who failed to make the finals in their events will get US$2,500 (approximately $325,000) for each event.
A relay gold medal will attract US$6,000 to be shared by all six members of the relay team. Managers and officials will get US$1,000 each.
In addition, four statues are to be built commemorating Jamaica’s top four sprinters in recent years — the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt, double 100-metre gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and their predecessors Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell Brown.
Jamaica’s athletes stood out among the over 10,500 individuals from over 207 countries represented at the Rio Games, finishing third on the track and field table with a record equalling six gold medals, three silver and two bronze in an 11-medal haul.
“Sport is not just for fun, sports continue to build Brand Jamaica. They [athletes] keep Jamaica current and alive. If someone goes to the supermarket and they see Brand Jamaica, they associate it with Usain winning or Shelly-Ann or Veronica or Elaine Thompson or Asafa, and they make a decision to purchase something with Brand Jamaica on it. Do you know the value of that? We could never pay for that and so we are eternally grateful.
“So, on behalf of a grateful nation, on behalf of all Jamaicans here and in the Diaspora, I stand on this stage to say thank you, thank you, thank you,” Holness said.
According to the prime minister, more plans are currently in the pipeline to build and preserve the legacy of the nations’ athletes.
“There has been much talk about what are we going to do to truly represent the great victory of our athletes at the Olympics and yes, we do intend to build a legacy for our athletes. I have directed the ministers of sport and tourism to develop a concept and come to the nation, because the nation has to have participation in anything that we do to represent the legacy of our athletes,” he ended.