Anderson focused on Olympians’ welfare

Newly elected Olympians Association of Jamaica (OAJ) president Marvin Anderson says that he is honoured to be given the opportunity to work towards helping to improve the lives of Jamaican Olympians.

The 37-year-old replaces outgoing president Vilma Charlton, who will remain on the executive body.

Anderson will be joined by new General Secretary Cathy Rattray Samuel and Treasurer Allan Marsh. The executive includes fellow Olympians Davian Clarke, Sherone Simpson and Nelson Stokes. Anderson says that he is committed to improving the well-being of the athletes and contributing to the continued advocacy of the Olympic movement locally.

“I am humbled by the confidence shown by my fellow Olympians,” Anderson said. “The executive looks forward to supporting and representing our Olympians and contributing to the enhancement of their quality of life. The team looks forward to forging multiple partnerships to promote the ideals of Olympism throughout Jamaica.

“We will be reaching out to ensure that we create a platform where all our Olympians feel inclusive to whatever we are doing to ensure that they have the confidence in what we are doing and ensure that they feel a part of the process of whatever projects that we want to put forward to continue to build the Olympic movement in the country,” Anderson added.

Although he would not outline details of the plans going forward, Anderson says that the framework is being put in place and that it will be geared towards the needs of Olympians, both active and inactive.

“I wouldn’t want to speak at this moment to any specific things that we are going to be doing (but) pretty soon we will be laying out the strategic plan which will be inclusive to all our Olympians.”

SPREAD THE MESSAGE

Anderson competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and won a World Championship silver medal in 2007 in Osaka. He says that he will be working closely with the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) in their efforts and outlined the importance of spreading the Olympic message.

“It works hand-in-hand with the Olympic committee at the international level and at the local level. Our National Olympic Committee, the JOA and the Olympian Association will work together, especially with the athletes commission to ensure that we cater and work in tandem to ensure that strategically, we are able to meet our goals and that the movement continues to spread across the county,” he said.

Meanwhile, JOA president Christopher Samuda says that he is looking forward to working with Anderson in solidifying the relationship between the two organisations.

“We will be meeting with Mr Anderson and I’m certain that the dialogue and collaboration will continue,” Samuda said.