Caribbean Sports Ambassadors

Future Transformation
References

Jamaica

Jamaica is the largest English speaking island and the third largest island in the Caribbean at 4213 sq miles. It lies 90 miles south of Cuba and 118 miles west of Haiti. it has a population of approximately 2.9 million, making it roughly the 140th most populous country in the world.

The great majority of its people are of African ancestry. Jamaica gained its independence from the United Kingdom on August 6, 1962 but remains a member of the Commonwealth. English is the official language for Jamaicans but is more commonly used among the more-privileged social classes. Jamaican Creole or Patios is more widely spoken. Its vocabulary and grammar are based in English, but some of its dialects derive from West African, Spanish and French languages.

Jamaica's first participation in the Olympics was in 1948, and it has participated in all the Summer Olympics since then. Jamaica has won a total of 78 medals at the Olympics, consisting of 22 gold medals, 35 silver medals and 21 bronze medals. All medals, except one, came for Athletics.

Brief History of Athletics in Jamaica

Athletics is one of the most popular and celebrated sports in Jamaica. Athletics is introduced to Jamaicans at a very early age, usually as soon as children enters the formal education system. Jamaica boasts a very rich athletic heritage dating back to 1930's where the country entered the 1930 Central American and Caribbean Games. Joseph Mackenzie won a silver medal in the in the high jump competition.

In the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Jamaican Authur Wint, Herb Mckenley, George Rhoden and Leslie Laing together won the fold medal in the 4X400 relay. They are the only team other than the Americans to hold a 4x400 world record. Jamaica has since produced many world class athletes, many breaking world record records and receiving medals at various Olympics and World Athletics competitions. Some of these athletes are Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who are both the fastest man and woman in the world respectively. There is Asafa Powell who is known as the "Sub-10 King" having the most 100m times under 10 seconds. Some other notable athletes are Merlene Ottey, Yohan Blake, Kerron Stewart, among many others.

Participation Past 20 Years

PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics

Bobsleigh
Skeleton

Rio 2016 Summer Olympics

Athletics
Gymnastics
Diving
Swimming

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

Bobsleigh

London 2012 Summer Olypics

Athletics
Equestrian
Swimming

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Freestyle Skiing

Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics

Athletics
Cycling
Equestrian
Swimming

Athens 2004 Summer Olympics

Athletics
Badminton
Shooting
Swimming

Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics

Bobsleigh

Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics

Athletics
Sailing
Swimming
Triathlon

Best and Worst Performance

Jamaica's best performance at the Summer Olympics was at the Rio 2016 Games

6 Gold medals
3 Silver medals
2 Bronze medals
Rank 16

Jamaica's worst performance at the Summer Olympics was at the Sydney 2000 Games

0 Gold medals
6 Silver medals
3 Bronze medals
Rank 54

Featured Individual (Retired)

Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt is a Jamaican Athlete considered "the fastest man alive" and an Olympic Legend. He has won 9 gold medals across 3 Summer Olympic Games.

Bolt started out as a cricket player in his preteen years and then developed a love for football. He was then introduced to track and field by his school coaches. Bolt made his first mark in 2002 at the World Junior Championships. At the age of 15 years old, he won gold in the 200 meters, becoming the youngest male ever in any event. When he became 16, he broke the 200 meter junior world record and at 17 he became the first teenager to run below 20 seconds.

Bolt holds the world records for the 100 meters and 200 meters at 9.58 seconds and 19.19 seconds respectively. Bolt has received many awards, including two times IAAF World Athlete of the Year, Track & Field Athlete of the Year and Laures Sportsman of the Year.

Bolt currently does Public Relations for some of his sponsors. He also owns multiple businesses, one popular one being Usain Bolt Tracks & Records. He also has a foundation that aims to create opportunities through education and cultural development for a positive change.

Featured Individual Currently Excelling

Yohan Blake

Yohan Blake is the current holder of the Jamaica's Junior record holder over the 100 meter. He is also the second fastest man in history over the 100 and 200 meter.

Blake made is competitive debut in the 2005 CARIFTA Junior Champions. He won gold in the 100 and 200 meters in the the U17 category. He won all the competitions he entered in the CARIFTA junior events.

In 2011 Blake won the 100 meters at the 2011 World Championships held in Daegu, South Korea beating Usain Bolt. He aslo won the 100 meters relay with the Jamaican team setting a new world record.