Marathon doubles JOA deal for Tokyo 2020

Marathon Insurance Brokers has extended its Olympic journey with Jamaica’s team to the 2020 Olympic Games, by partnering with the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) in its biggest way yet to provide coverage before, during and after the Games.

This partnership continues to demonstrate JOA’s commitment to building solid corporate partnerships in the interest of athletes and administrators, who the national umbrella association strongly advocates are the primary assets of sports development.

“This partnership is in keeping with Marathon Insurance Brokers’ commitment to the development of sports in Jamaica and our continuous contribution to various sporting events over the years. The 2020 Olympic Games is the third Olympics for which Marathon has provided 100 per cent insurance coverage for the Jamaican contingent,” said Keisha Burgher, executive director, Marathon Insurance.

The deal, worth $1.5 million, was announced on Monday at Olympic Manor, the JOA’s headquarters. Marathon had provided insurance to Jamaica’s team at the 2016 and 2012 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil; and London, England, respectively.

COVERAGE

In listing aspects of their coverage, Burgher said: “Marathon Insurance Brokers is committed to providing insurance coverage for the athletes and delegation attending the Summer Games next year in Tokyo. The coverage has been specially designed to begin at the pre-Games training camp, during the Games and up to two weeks after the close of the Games, until everyone has returned to Jamaica.

“Some of the benefits under the insurance cover include medical expenses associated with illness or accident; loss of baggage, as well as coverage for the medical equipment carried by the team doctors and medical staff to and from Tokyo,” she added.

CONTINUED ALLIANCE

JOA President Christopher Samuda said their continued alliance is not surprising, “for both the JOA and Marathon have an insurable interest in the development and welfare of our sportsmen and sportswomen beyond their lives in sport, which interest offers material coverage of the aspirations of successive generations.”

Samuda continued: “It is not surprising for we both are heavily investing in sporting lives in providing full and effective indemnities against risks, which may adversely affect human life and performance.”

The JOA’s Secretary General and CEO Ryan Foster said the insurance coverage for Tokyo 2020 is twice the amount committed towards Rio 2016.

To strengthen this point, he referenced the Winter Olympics, Youth Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games and CAC Games, and said: “Insurance coverage for each was a very expensive cause for the JOA, so we are extremely grateful that Marathon has come on board to provide this very needy service within the partnership outlined”.

Foster noted additional benefits, stating that the partnership will also result in an increase in the number of ultrasound and tens machines and other machines to be used during the Games, plus an emergency family ticket and coverage for delay of bags.