The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) says it sees no issue with the decision that its training camp ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, this month not be made mandatory.

Jamaica’s runners, throwers, and jumpers will take part in a camp in Kecskemét, Hungary, which started on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday afternoon, before moving to the Athletes’ Village in Budapest the following day, with the meet starting on Saturday, August 19.

Team Manager Judith Ewart says the decision was made to allow athletes with what the JAAA considers high-level training structures to remain with their coaches a little longer, and also allow them the opportunity to continue earning from competition should they choose that option.

“There are teams that are overseas doing their own training at the moment, and some of them are even earning funds at the meets, so we wouldn’t want to deprive them of that,” she said.

“Also, they are training there with their own coaches but we have the camp for those who want to practise relays and so forth.”

JAAA President Garth Gayle says the camp will help those athletes from less structured programmes get the necessary attention they need from the national coaches to correct errors in their technique.

“It’s not so much if you wish, or if you want to [be there], but there are a considerable number of athletes who need the camp and those who are coming from structured programmes would have already established not only their own training camp but competition,” he said.

But he agrees with Ewart that allowing athletes to continue earning is important.

“This is what these athletes do and the more opportunities that they can get to earn, we at the JAAA believe it’s important because it also helps to make them do well at the championships,” he said. “At the end of the day, that’s what we want.

“What we’re doing is being inclusive, listening to our coaches, and listening to our managers. There is a strong appreciation and need for the camp. So, we are providing that. Is it wise to say, ‘No, you must pause your ability to earn to come into a camp?’ I don’t think we have the luxury of that. Our athletes need assistance and where and whenever possible, we must provide it.”

The JAAA says that although the primary focus is technical work, the camp is also important to impart the values of the team and allow athletes to gain an understanding of what is expected of them when they put on the national colours.

Jamaica has a 65-member team at the championships, comprising 32 males and 33 females. The championships ends on Sunday, August 27.