In response to the recent controversy, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has clarified that the exclusion of renowned coach Glen Mills from the officials list for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games was a decision made by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
The JOA addressed the issue after widespread speculation and disappointment over the allotment given to the JAAA, which led to Mills’ exclusion. According to the JOA, JAAA President Garth Gayle was fully aware of the team size calculator or formula used to determine the number of officials allowed for the Games.
The JOA explained that the JAAA was informed that the 14-member management team for track and field could increase if more athletes qualified. Subsequently, the JAAA submitted a 17-member officials list that did not include Mills. The submitted list consists of Ludlow Watts (manager), Ian Forbes (assistant manager), Julette Parkes-Livermore (assistant manager), Maurice Wilson (head coach), Lennox Graham (coach), Paul Francis (coach), Mark Elliott (coach), Julian Robinson (coach), Reynaldo Walcott (coach), Marlon Gayle (coach), Lacena Golding-Clarke (coach), Warren Blake (doctor), Pier-Ann Brown (physiotherapist), Troy Evans (massage therapist), Everette Rowe (massage therapist), Damion Rowe (massage therapist), and Okeile Stewart (massage therapist).
“The JOA must again point out that the JAAA further made a specific request of the JOA for seven personal coaches, in addition to the 14 primary team officials, and this was granted by the JOA without any reservation whatsoever. Essential to consensus and trust are transparent conduct and a readiness to admit when one falls into error. The JOA, therefore, awaits courtesy,” stated the JOA in a June 27 release.
Glen Mills’ frustration and commitment
This clarification comes in response to statements made by Gayle and comments by Mills, who criticized the 14-slot allotment for team officials, deeming it inadequate for a team expected to field at least 60 track and field athletes. Mills voiced his frustration at a JAAA press conference, stating, “It is a disgrace that you have to be fighting to get the required number of coaches, the required number of therapists and doctors to go with an Olympic team that is probably rated number two or three in the world.”
Glen Mills, who has played a crucial role in the development of some of Jamaica’s most successful sprinters, including Usain Bolt, expressed his disappointment with the situation. “I find it very unfortunate that track and field, and what it represents in the Olympic movement, not just in Jamaica but worldwide, along with Jamaica’s history (has come to this). We are not beggars, we have earned it,” he remarked.
Despite offers from other countries, Mills emphasized his loyalty to Jamaica. “I could have gone to the Olympics with other countries. I was offered two full accreditations, full funding, but I could never see myself wearing another country’s colours, but if I am forced to, then I will have to,” he revealed.
The JOA reiterated that Gayle was well-informed about the team size calculation process. “For clarity, in his role as Chairman of JOA’s Games Commission, he had full knowledge of team size calculators (which host cities of games use to determine the sizes of country delegations), including that contained in the Olympic mandate regarding Olympic games. The JOA does not control at all the team size calculator for games. In meetings with several associations and federations Mr. Gayle emphasised this and explained JOA policies as they relate to games management,” the JOA statement concluded.
