BARRANQUILLA, Colombia — Returns from recent international sporting championships have strengthened belief within the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) that its current increase in spend to national bodies is reaping dividends and will enable a realisation of its ’10 in 20′ goal.

That target, of earning the country representation in at least 10 disciplines at the next Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, has been the driving force behind efforts to get more athletes from more disciplines into competition, and CEO Ryan Foster noted that they have already laid out millions to finance this drive.

“Since the start of the year we have spent in excess of $100m on sporting associations in sending them to the Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games, CAC Games and various qualifiers,” said Foster when asked to list the competitions where nationals have benefited from international competition.

“I want to showcase that member support has never been so great in the past and the results are being shown with the number of medal hauls now and the variety of medals across the various sports,” he added.

At the just-concluded Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, Jamaica sent a record number of 186 athletes, participating in 17 sports. They ended up eighth overall after winning 27 medals — 12 gold, four silver and 11 bronze.

Among that number was a gold medal for badminton in men’s doubles, silver for fencing, bronze medals in team competition for men in rugby sevens and squash, plus an individual bronze in squash for Chris Binnie.

This contrasts vastly with the takings from the previous CAC Games in Veracruz, Mexico, where the country finished 21st overall after earning four medals — one silver and three bronze.

Foster said: “The success continues. We had our most successful Commonwealth Games in Australia this year and the enormous success in a variety of sports at the CAC vindicates our position for our extended financial support to our member associations.”

Ironically, Jamaica also ended the Commonwealth Games with 27 medals, a record haul, after its previous achievement of 22 that was twice attained in 2006 and 2014. Athletes and sports also saw increased numbers, with Jamaica winning seven gold, nine silver, 10 bronze.

“This year we decided to solidify our support towards sport development by spending large to get our members the best possible opportunity to succeed. This year alone we provided long-term support for squash and now we are seeing the results,” outlined Foster.

“Our goal is having 10 sporting disciplines in the next Olympics. We have extended our reach and have received corporate support in making this happen. We are now seeing the results.”