Holness says consultations to begin on 'new framework' to retain Jamaican athletes
Published:Tuesday | June 24, 2025 | 10:06 AM
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has acknowledged that the issue of Jamaican athletes switching to represent other countries has "understandably stirred emotion and concern", but says "athletes must make decisions not only for themselves but for their families and their future".
At the same time he says he has asked Sports Minister Olivia Grange to lead further consultations with stakeholders, including the sports federations and the private sector, to discuss a new framework for the development and retention of Jamaica's athletes.
Holness was speaking on Monday night at a special event hosted by Nike at the AC Hotel in St Andrew to celebrate the legacy of Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
His comments came against the backdrop of four Jamaican athletes applying to World Athletics to switch their allegiance to Türkiye.
The athletes are Olympic men’s discus gold medallist and record holder Roje Stona, Olympic men’s long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, Olympic men’s shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell, and World U20 triple jump record holder Jaydon Hibbert.
"I ask that we approach this matter with compassion and thoughtfulness. The career of a professional athlete is short and often financially precarious," Holness stated, as he highlighted the balance athletes have to strike between the pride of wearing Jamaica's colours and looking out for their own interest.
"Patriotism must not be taken for granted. It must be nurtured and it must be rewarded," Holness stated while acknowledging Fraser-Pryce's decision to represent Jamaica for her entire career.
However, he noted that Jamaica will constantly be challenged in relation to what more can be done to improve the ecosystem for athletes and that the Government is limited in what it can do administratively and financially. He said that is why he has requested the consultations on athlete welfare include all stakeholders.
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