JOA hails GraceKennedy for Rio 2016 support

KINGSTON:

The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has described the support of the GraceKennedy Group for the athletes as unparalleled and essential.

This is according to Mike Fennell, president of the JOA, who spoke at a special luncheon hosted at The Jamaica Pegasus on Thursday to thank the GraceKennedy Group for its support of the 63-member Jamaican contingent at the Rio Olympics.

"This is our way of saying thank you for your unparalleled support, especially for the recent Olympics Games in Rio. You have provided assistance through products and essential nutritional advice, which assisted us in maintaining our world-leading performances, and for that, we are grateful," said Fennell.

Representing GraceKennedy were Andrea Coy, CEO of GraceKennedy Foods, Jamaica (Domestic); and Angeline Gillings, chief global category officer, GraceKennedy Foods. Also present was chef Karl Thomas, who was contracted by GK Foods to oversee the preparation of meals for the Jamaican Olympians.

In response, Mrs Coy said, "We are elated that you chose us to come on board for yet another Olympics, and we are proud to know that with our support, the team demonstrated a winning spirit and delivered such spectacular performances."

Chef Karl Thomas, who was also the lead chef for GraceKennedy Foods at the 2012 Olympics, said he was happy to have served the team and the country for the second consecutive Olympics.

"It's a thrilling feeling to be a part of this exceptional contingent, and it was an honour to prepare our athletes to take on the world, and to see them deliver so well," he said.

As a token of its appreciation, the JOA presented the trio with gift packages of official Jamaican team gear.

As the official food and nutrition sponsor of the 2016 Jamaican Olympic team, GraceKennedy Foods, a part of the GraceKennedy Group, provided food products and other nutritional support for the contingent at the pre-Olympics training camp in Rio.