Hurdles star inks sponsorship deal with Sandals

Luxury all-inclusive brand Sandals Resorts International has announced that it has signed a major three-year sponsorship deal with Olympic medallist Megan Tapper. Tapper is a three-time national champion.

In a release yesterday, Sandals disclosed Tapper signed the deal last Friday at a ceremony hosted by Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart at the AC Hotel, Kingston. Tapper gained recognition during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first-ever Jamaican female athlete to clinch an Olympic medal in the 100-metre hurdles.

In its statement, Sandals said it wasn't just her athletic prowess that won hearts, but also her effervescent personality that captivated many Jamaicans, including Sandals' executive chairman.

“I think it is fair to say that Megan is a reflection, through her smile, of what Jamaica’s soul represents. Her achievements on the world stage speak for themselves, but the way she conducts herself, the way she inspires the next generation, the way she brings to life the feeling of Jamaica through her smile and how she acts and carries herself is something that Sandals Resorts International wanted to be associated with. We love superstars, and we love standing on the world stage ourselves. We love boasting about everything Jamaica is and can continue to be, and I saw a reflection of our company in Megan,” Stewart said.

According to the Sandals executive chairman, Tapper and athletes like herself continue to vividly demonstrate that Jamaica is more than “likkle but tallawah”.

Stewart said that Tapper now has the unwavering and enthusiastic support of Sandals Resorts and its expansive army of devoted Jamaicans and Caribbean nationals globally.

Tapper, visibly moved by the executive chairman’s sentiments, said she was overwhelmed by his extraordinary show of support.

The national champion described the sponsorship deal with Sandals as a golden and incredible opportunity, especially as she prepares for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France, this year.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this partnership with Sandals as I gear up to make my third Olympic team,” a beaming Tapper said.

“I can’t wait to soar to new heights and bring the essence of the Caribbean sun and the Sandals smile to every single country that I go to. It’s an incredible opportunity and I am excited to represent such a fantastic brand. I am confident that this will be an unforgettable partnership. This collaboration is an important one because it reiterates that Sandals, though not an apparel brand, supports sport in Jamaica, which, along with tourism, is consistently doing well on the world stage and will obviously continue to do so. I am confident that this partnership will contribute positively towards carrying the brand to new heights,” she added.

With this latest partnership forged with Tapper, Sandals' executive chairman used the opportunity to recognise other Jamaican brands who support local athletics. He extended commendation to companies such as Digicel and GraceKennedy, and called on corporate Jamaica to continue these types of partnerships.