PHILADELPHIA, USA — Jamaica’s first female Olympic gold medallist Deon Hemmings-McCatty, OD, was among a number of stalwarts who were honoured last week by Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) at a glitzy awards reception

held at Brooklyn Borough Hall in New York.

In a ceremony that also doubled as what was described “as a pep rally” leading into this weekend’s 119th Penn Relays Carnival, the fund-raising aspects of the organisation was also heavily reinforced. This, as TJB is fully reliant on donations and sponsorships to fund its programmes.

Hemmings-McCatty won gold in the 400m hurdles at the 1996 Olympic Games in Altanta, Georgia, setting a Games record 52.64 seconds that stood until 2004.

She accepted proclamations from the offices of Congress-woman Yvette Clarke and Marty Markowitz, Brookyn Borough President and a citation from the office of Congressman Gregory Meeks. She was also presented with a TJB award and a community service award from Tower Isle’s Patties, named in honour of its founder, Beryl Levi, now deceased.

A number of other outstanding personalities were also honoured, including Diaspora leaders Colette Cyrus-Burnett, CEO of Superwings; GS O’Brien Simmons, founder of the Diaspora-based Bequia United Progressive Organisation (BUPO); and Derrick James, Consul General of Grenada.

Herman LaMont, Consul General of Jamaica to New York, brought greetings on behalf of the Government of Jamaica and the consular corp, of which Jamaica is chair. Consuls General present were, Julian Du Bois, St Lucia; Lennox Price, Barbados; Omyma David, Antigua & Barbuda, and (honoree), Derrick James, Consul General of Grenada.

In his opening remarks, CEO of TJB Erwin Clare reminded the audience of the organisation’s mission in ensuring that amenities provided through its Hospitality Initiative are fully implemented during the Penn Relays. The athletes benefit from meals and other refreshments, physical therapy/chiropractic care, and ground transportation. The organisation also handles the bookings and negotiation of (reduced) hotel rates for the large contingent.

Clare also spoke of his organisation’s ongoing contributions to other sectors in the island saying it was more than just the Penn Relays and say they were particularly proud of its ongoing commitment to sports development through its annual contributions to the GC Foster College of Sports in Jamaica.

“We feel that if we can, even in a small way contribute to the enhancement of training facilities, personnel, and programmes, then what we do on this end, really does count,” said Clare.