Kingston, Jamaica – In a strong show of appreciation and support for Jamaica’s elite athletes, the Ministry of Sport announced it will provide J$45 million in grants to the national team members (athletes and support staff) who represented Jamaica at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Speaking at a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Monday, Minister Olivia Grange affirmed, “I have J$45 million allocated to provide Appreciation Grants to members of Jamaica’s delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The financial support, as Minister Grange detailed, will reach 66 athletes—including one Paralympian—and 21 support staff who contributed to Jamaica’s presence at the Games. This funding supplements over J$20 million already distributed under the Athletes Assistance Program, which helped these athletes in their preparations for the Paris competition.
Additionally, junior athletes who competed in the recent World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, will each receive gift vouchers worth J$760,000, further emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing young Jamaican talent.
Minister Grange praised the initiative
The press conference also served as the platform to announce an exciting addition to the athletics calendar: the Jamaica leg of the Grand Slam Track series, a new international track series spearheaded by former Olympic champion and world record holder, American legend Michael Johnson. Set to debut from April 4-6, 2025, at Kingston’s National Stadium, the Grand Slam Track series will showcase elite runners across four major cities worldwide.
Minister Grange praised the initiative, saying, “The best part of the idea is that one of the slams will take place in Jamaica—the home of the best athletes.” She highlighted Jamaica’s standing as the “sprint capital of the world” and celebrated the nation’s legacy, championed by the likes of Usain Bolt and countless other Jamaican athletes, as a central factor in bringing Grand Slam Track to the island.
“Grand Slam Track fits perfectly into our government’s strategic sports development agenda, which aims to make Jamaica the best country to participate in, watch, and discuss sport,” added Minister Grange. She noted that the new league will not only showcase athletic prowess but also enhance Jamaica’s profile as a premier destination for international sports events and sports-related meetings.
The Grand Slam Track event promises to be a highlight of Jamaica’s 2025 sporting calendar, further strengthening the island’s role as a global hub for track and field excellence.
