JOA looking to raise profile of Youth Olympics

CEO of the Jamaica Olympic Association Ryan Foster says the association will be working with its member associations to raise the profile of the Youth Summer Olympic Games.

Fosters admits that Jamaica has not bought into the concept of the Youth Games, and its modest record at the three editions is indicative of that.

Jamaica has won a mere seven medals at the three editions of the event, winning two of those medals at the recently concluded games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“The Youth Olympic Games falls beyond the track and field season and a part of the reason Jamaica has not bought into the Youth Olympics is because most of the athletes were being prepared for Champs (ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships),” Foster said. “But what we will be doing, though, is working with our member associations to get more sports qualifying for the Youth Olympics.”

EXPANDING CAPACITY

He said: “So, what we want to do is expand the capacity of our member associations to qualify their sports for the Youth Olympic Games, and once we get them to buy into that concept and increase their capacity to qualify for the games, then we can shift focus to the JAAA (Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association ) to get the athletes prepare specifically for the Youth Games.”

Foster also said that the JOA is in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to provide a more flexible timeline for hosting the event.

“We are asking them to do this to ensure that we not only get participation, but also the best possible competitors for the Youth Olympic Games,” Foster said.