Small Jamaica team for first Youth Olympics

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica will be represented in only three sporting disciplines at the first-ever Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore, August 14-26.

Jamaica will only have representation in athletics, badminton and swimming due to the failure of athletes from the other sporting disciplines to meet the International Association of Athletics Federations and the International Olympic Committee qualifying standards. Jamaica had originally qualified athletes to participate in only athletics and swimming; until an athlete from another country withdrew from the badminton, opening the way for Dennis Coke to compete in the men's singles.

To secure qualification to the youth Olympics, athletes had to compete in a number of junior meets across the region. They were then selected based on their performances.

Mike Fennell, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), believes the onus is now on the local federations of all the Olympic sports to ensure that their young athletes qualify to participate in the next Youth Olympics to be held in China in 2014.

Not just be about medals

"I am very disappointed because it would have been a nice opportunity for the youngsters in other sports," said Fennell, while speaking at a press briefing yesterday to announce the team at the JOA headquarters. "We tried in a number of sports; table tennis, boxing, sailing, even the basketball three on three, but maybe another time around. The next Youth Olympics in four years time will be in China and I think it is now up to the federations for those sports to work towards this as an objective," he added.

The team will depart the island on Sunday, with the two swimmers and badminton player bowing into action on August 15. The athletics team, which was reduced from 13 to 12 members after Julian Forte pulled out because of injury, will commence participation on August 17.

The Youth Olympics will not just be about winning medals, but will also have cultural and educational aspects to it.

"This is not just a normal sports event because a compulsory requirement is that all participants have to take part in what is called the culture and education programme," Fennell explained. "The culture and educational aspect is divided into seven different themes; five of which will take place in the village itself and two others are outside," he added.

Continental integration will also be big on the agenda, as the relay teams will comprise various athletes from across the region. Grace Jackson, manager of the athletics team does not foresee this being a problem.

The full Jamaica contingent is: Denise Forrest - chef de mission; Patricia Lue-Chin - physiotherapist.

Athletics officials: Grace Jackson (manager); David Riley (coach).

Athletes: Fredrick Dacres (discus), Rochelle Farquharson (triple jump), Stefan Fennell (110m hurdles) - will also represent Jamaica at a special seminar, Shanice Hall (high jump), Sherika Jackson (200m), Olivia James (400m), Sasha-Gaye Marston (discus), Ashinia Miller (shot put), Janieve Russell (long jump), Megan Simmonds (100m hurdles), Odean Skeen (100m), Lennox Williams (400m).

Badminton official: Audley Astwood (manager).

Athlete: Denis Coke (men's singles).

Swimming official: Greg Wriede (manager).

Swimmer: Kendese Nangle (50m and 100m back stroke) - will be flag bearer at opening ceremony; Brian Forte (50m and 100m freestyle).