KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator, Natalie Campbell Rodriquez, says that retiring ace female sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, “has had nothing short of an illustrious career” and her contribution should never be underrated.

“VCB as had  nothing short of an illustrious career in a field that requires discipline, focus, resilience and determination in order to reach the top,” she said on Friday, as she opened a dual Senate tribute to the world class athlete who announced her retirement from the track three days ago.

Senator Campbell Rodriquez, who raised the issue on the motion for the adjournment, reminded the Senate to always keep in mind the contributions, national athletes like Campbell Brown have made, directly and indirectly to the nation’s development.

“They create dreams for our children and they also provide hope for young people. This must never be forgotten or underrated. We must always remember the hard work they put in and the personal sacrifices they make, as they compete to represent Jamaica at the junior games or the Olympics, in the midst of a global pandemic, and our athletes will (continue) to do so, but without one of our icons who has chosen that now is the time to step away,” she said.

 She also stated that on the night VCB made the announcement, she received a message from a friend expressing the hope that the Government would recognize the contribution the athlete had made to promoting Jamaica.

“I laughed, because I know how much the country loves our athletes and I knew, without even checking, that the Honourable Minster of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, would not skip a beat in ensuring that VCB’s legacy would be protected,” she informed the Senate.

She also noted Grange’s announcement that VCB’s former primary school, Troy Primary, would be renamed in her honour and a multi-purpose court for netball, basketball and volley ball will be erected there.

Campbell-Rodriquez pointed out that a statue of her had already been erected at Independence Park, and recalled that she had been recognised as an advocate for gender equality by UNESCO.

Responding for the Opposition, Senator Damion Crawford said VCB was a champion from her youth, and it had continued into her adulthood. He said that her achievements globally had made it easier for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) to sell Jamaica as a tourism destination.

“The other thing is the confidence which VCB has given the entire nation: It means we can make it and we are world beaters because, as I said, the examples set by persons as ourselves give us confidence that we can achieve the examples they have set,” he said. Crawford also noted that he was happy with how she had managed her family life.

“As a star she had set examples for even people like myself on how to live decent family lives. I congratulate her, and I thank her for the example she has set for our young women,” he said.

President of the Senate, Senator Thomas Tavares Finson, said that it is always heartening to note that “unity is one of the things that always come up when we discuss our athletes”.

“It is for that reason, why I congratulate VCB, the fact that she has given to the country, and the fact that she has given us all something to be proud of,” he added.      

Campbell-Brown, who turned 39 last month, has won 19 medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships level, including back-to-back 200-metre Olympic gold, and gold in the 4×100 relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2015 Beijing World Championships.

She announced her retirement by her Instagram account on Wednesday, which was celebrated as International Olympic Day.

Balford Henry