The majestic sound of Jamaica’s National Anthem reverberated in the International Zone of the Paralympic Village in Guadalajara at approximately 16:55 pm (Mexico time) on Thursday, as the Jamaican flag was hoisted signalling the official endorsement of Jamaica’s participation in the 2011 Parapan American Games.

The Flag Raising Ceremony was hosted by the National Paralympic Committee of Mexico with pageantry and a cultural expose in dance by the host country.

Mayor of the Paralympic Village, Willem Nicolaas Van der Kaaij, delivered the welcome address in which he expressed a commitment to a successful staging of the games and extended best wishes to Jamaica and the Republic of Suriname, whose national flag was also elevated in the ceremony.

Jamaica’s Chef de Mission Christopher Samuda, in his address, stated that “Jamaica is so proud — yet humbled — to be an integral part of the paralympic movement and is committed to advancing the cause, challenging successfully prejudices and creating a new vision of equity in Olympic pursuits and other endeavours”.

In recognition and appreciation of the hospitality extended to the Jamaican team by the hosts, Samuda presented the Mayor with satchels of the world renowned and revered Blue Mountain Coffee.

But a moment of pride beamed on the faces of the Jamaican Paralympians when the navy blue and gold clad quartet of Mexico’s National Cadet, bedecked with headgear and plumes, marched in unison with the black, green and gold flag folded in white gloved hands to the platform, unfolded the flag, poled it and then gave a salute as it was raised to the sound of the Jamaican National Anthem.

The Jamaican flag now flies in the village where over 1,000 athletes, spanning the Americas, will seek in the coming week personal honour and glory for their individual countries.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s team commenced training on Wednesday at the warm-up track adjacent to the Telmex Stadium, under the watchful eyes of Jamaican coaches Neville Sinclair and Jefferson Davis.

A ‘doctor’s visit’ to the gymnasium early that morning by the team before training was far from a ‘check up’, but simply prescriptive of the success that, it is hoped, will be achieved.

Thereafter it was off to training which went according to programme. Paralympian Tanto Campbell showed good form and came under foreign surveillance as he went through his F54-56 discus routine, while teammate Alphanso Campbell, no stranger to the top of the podium at international games, demonstrated why he is a serious contender for the gold in the discus F51-53

The mood of the camp is lively, but the objective of the mission has not escaped the team which remains focused. The camaraderie is inspiring and, for the less experienced athletes at international games, is providing a framework for action and achievement.

Training will continue each day, with adjustments in time and frequency, as competition approaches.

The athletes remain resolute that their footprints will be distinctive on the track and field of the Telmex Stadium when the dust settles in the Mexican metropolis of Guadalajara.