KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has admitted that there were some shortcomings during last weekend’s celebration for Jamaica’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes, specifically at Saturday’s event, which she said overshadowed what was seen as an otherwise well-produced event.

The celebrations kicked off on Friday with a reception hosted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness at Jamaica House. This was followed by the Rio Gala and Awards Ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday, before culminating with the Jamaica National 5K Run/Walk charity event in Falmouth and reception at Melia Braco Hotel in Rio Bueno, Trelawny.

Minister Grange said, overall, the planning and execution were well done. She also pointed out that in putting together the programmes, consultations were held with a wide range of stakeholders, as the organisers sought to be inclusive – including trying to achieve some gender equity while also balancing factors such as currency and appropriateness.

“However, I accept that there were aspects that fell short of my own standards developed and honed over my many years of public service, as well as, my direct involvement in the entertainment sector at many different levels.

“In particular, there were some failings at Saturday’s event which have overshadowed what was otherwise seen as a well-produced event,” Grange said. “As the minister, I express sincerest regrets for these shortcomings and going forward, to ensure the highest levels of planning and execution of these national events, I have asked for a review of our procedures and agreements and a review team is being put in place.”

The minister said she has already given instructions for increased focus on access to people with health conditions or impairments at all national events organised by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

On the matter of dancehall artiste Spice’s performance on Saturday, the minister said: “I recognise dancehall as an important Jamaican music genre. In that regard, I note some of the comments directed at Spice for her performance on Saturday night. I do not offer a defence for Spice who is a talented and bright performer, fully capable of producing lyrics in celebration of our athletic heroes. I would, however, caution against the issue of vitriolic comment and a rush to judgement in this matter.”

Grange reiterated that most things went well.

“Like our athletes we will review, improve and keep pushing ourselves to higher levels of performance,” she said, adding that the ministry will now turn its attention to the implementation of the legacy projects which we will be executed in the medium term, including the commissioning of statues to be placed in the National Stadium – Statue Park as a part of a wider planned development of the Stadium complex, which includes the National Sport Museum.

In the meantime, Minister Grange thanked everyone who contributed to making the salute to Jamaica’s Rio ambassadors a resounding success.

“The feedback received indicates that our Olympic and Paralympic teams appreciated the celebratory events and the monetary awards, which represent mere tokens of the appreciation of a proud and grateful nation,” Grange said.

“We do not resile from our decision to celebrate our Olympic and Paralympic heroes in the ways that we have or to award them in the amounts that we have. Our athletes promote our country in many positive and immeasurable ways and already we are seeing new business linked to their performances in Rio.

“It was right to thank them and to encourage them towards even higher levels of performance,” the minister said.