The Government of Jamaica will reward athletes who qualify to represent the country at the Paris Olympic Games with a cash incentive of $360,000 each.
The monetary reward is aimed at assisting with preparation for the Games which begins on July 26 with the opening ceremony and concludes on Sunday August 11.
The announcement was made by Sports Minister Olivia Grange during her keynote address at this morning’s launch of the National Athletics Championship.
Another incentive package of $50 Million will be put aside to be shared amongst every member of Jamaica’s delegation to the games to include athletes, coaches, managers and doctors.
Meanwhile the JAAA’s has confirmed that they will make one last attempt at qualifying a men’s 4x400m relay team for the Olympic Games.
Two Jamaica teams will be entered for a special 4x400m race on the last day of the National Championship which is also the deadline for countries to make the qualifying standard.
This will be the fourth and last attempt after three failures in the Bahamas this year, Jamaica must run faster than 2:59.12 seconds to get in.
The race must have at least two National teams for the times to be accepted and so far the JAAA’s has only confirmed St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
However Jaaa’s Treasurer Ludlow Watts told Nationwide Sports that they are negotiating with the top country in the events the United States and that confirmation could come as early as this evening.
Jaaa’s Treasurer Ludlow Watts
Six hundred and eighty athletes have registered for the National championship with a 50% split between juniors and seniors.
The Bleachers section of the Stadium will be opened on Friday and Sunday and there’s no cost for admission.
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