JOA announces strong team for Pan Am Games

The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) yesterday announced a strong team to participate in the July 10-26 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

Sixty-five athletes and 28 officials were named by chef de mission Compton Rodney during a press briefing at the JOA head office on Cunningham Avenue.

Jamaica will compete in seven sporting disciplines including athletics, badminton, cycling, golf, shooting, swimming, and tae kwon do.

"Our biggest team is in athletics, where 50 athletes were named. Odayne Richards has replaced Oshima Miller in the shot put event, although this arrangement is yet to be finalised," Rodney said. "The team includes Kerron Stewart, Simone Facey, Sherone Simpson, Leford Green, and Rasheed Dwyer, among others," he added.

The JOA's long-serving president, Mike Fennell, expects good performances from the athletes, especially in track and field.

"Jamaica has an enviable record of performances at these games, and we are looking forward to more success. The Games are undoubtedly going to be very, very good. There are more than 350,000 Jamaicans living in Toronto, so we expect good support there," Fennell said.

The JOA boss said the Games would continue to establish Brand Jamaica to the world.

"The strength of Brand Jamaica has been put together because of sports, and we want to continue that," he added.

Natalie Neita-Headley, the minister with responsibility for sports, also has high expectations.

"Once again, we expect to shine at these Games," she said.

"I expect great things in Toronto. I know they are going to make Jamaica proud. I want to remind the athletes that your best is what we want," Neita-Headley, who will attend the Games, said.

Canadian High Commissioner Robert Ready said his country is looking forward to hosting the Pan Am Games for the third time.

"I am very pleased to be here this morning to witness the naming of the Jamaica team. Canada looks forward to hosting the event. I want to wish the Jamaican team all the best. We know what Jamaica brings, so compete at your best and enjoy Canada," Ready said.

The team

- Athletics: Male - Tyquendo Tracey, Sheldon Mitchell, Tyler Mason, Dwight Thomas, Rasheed Dwyer, Ricardo Chambers, Jonia McDonald, Roxroy Cato, Leford Green, Ricardo Cunningham, Jo-Wayne Hibbert, Fedrick Dacres, Jason Morgan, Clayton Brown, Damar Forbes, Raymond Brown, Odayne Richards, Damon McLean, Jonathan Reid, Bernardo Brady, Dexter Lee, Kimmari Roach, Dane Hyatt, Riker Hylton, Javere Bell.

- Female: Schillone Calvert, Sherone Simpson, Kimberly Laing, Monique Morgan, Simone Facey, Kerron Stewart, Samantha Henry-Robinson, Chrisann Gordon, Anastasia Le-Roy, Samantha Elliott, Ristananna Tracey, Kimarra McDonald, Tara-Sue Barnett, Danniel Thomas, Natalie Grant, Daina Levy, Kay-Marie Jones, Saniel Atkinson-Grier, Kimberly Williamson, Chanice Porter, Devene Brown, Shanieka Thomas, Verone Chambers, Jonique Day and Bobby-Gaye Wilkins.

Officials - Trevor Campbell (team manager), Vilma Charlton (assistant team manager, Bertland Cameron (head coach) Michael Vassell (coach), David Riley (coach), Sean Samuels (coach), Kevin Pryce (coach), John Mair (coach).

- Badminton: Gareth Henry, Davyon Reid, Ruth Williams, Katherine Wynter. Officials: Winston Ricketts (team manager), Howard Ranger (coach).

- Cycling (BMX): Maliek Byndloss. Official: Jonathan Gosse (team manager-coach).

- Golf: Ian Facey. Official: Robert Facey (team manager-coach).

- Shooting: Dwayne Ford.

- Swimming: Alia Atkinson, Trudian Patrick, Danielle Boothe, Breanna Roman. Officials: Allan Marsh (team-manager), Christopher Anderson Jr. (coach).

- Tae kwon do: Kenneth Edwards, Cyriesse Hall. Officials: Fabi Takahashi.

- Team management: Compton Rodney (chef de mission), Lincoln Eatman (deputy chef de mission), Grace Marie Collymore (team official).

- Medical: Dr Praimanand Singh, Dr Rhonda Hudson, Dr Tahira Redwood.

Physiotherapists: Dr Maureen Spence-Campbell, Devin Lawson, Audrey McIntosh, Wendi Peart, Nicholas Ford, Gavin James, Collin Turner, and Nathaneal Davis.