Ryan Foster, CEO and secretary general at the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), believes that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will provide a rich opportunity to showcase Jamaica’s sporting and cultural heritage, as the island’s athletes look to again deliver success on the greatest stage.

Jamaica is expected to be represented in track and field, judo, swimming, diving, boxing and cycling at the July 24 to August 11 Games set for the French capital.

Foster, who was speaking at the JOA’s Olympics campaign launch and sponsors’ presentation at the Terra Nova Hotel on Thursday, highlighted the organisation’s plans to showcase Brand Jamaica during the Games, while underscoring the administration’s determination to empower and provide support for athletes in their pursuit of success.

“It will be an Olympic Games in Paris and an Independence Day in Jamaica to remember as the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and Puma International will join forces to bring to the global landscape an experience in friendship and mutuality in sport and a cultural expose of Jamaica’s culture,” said Foster.

“The JOA and Puma will be partnering to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence in Paris on August 6 and JOA Day on August 7 in the historic capital of France, which is known universally for its exquisite taste for cuisine and art. But for those days, Jamaica’s culture in sport, music, and food will be spotlighted and take pride of place in a glorious display for Jamaica’s golden sporting champions and ambassadors, Jamaican fans, patriots, resident in France, the worldwide Olympic officialdom, international personalities in sport and entertainment and athletes across the Olympic spectrum,” he added.

Chief among the JOA’s plans for Paris 2024 is the development of a Jamaican experience in the French city, in collaboration with kit sponsors Puma, which will celebrate the island’s food, music, art and sporting success.

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s event, the JOA also announced that five athletes — Shaneika Ricketts, Malik James-King, Christoff Bryan, Samantha Hall and Nyoka Clunis — would benefit from sponsorship valued at $6 million, geared towards their qualification expenses.

Foster also shared that medals will be reallocated to Beverly McDonald, Kaliese Spencer and Chelsea Hammond-Ross during a special ceremony on August 9 in the heart of the Olympic activities.

McDonald will receive a bronze medal from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in the 200m due to the disqualification of Marion Jones from USA; Chelsea Hammond-Ross will receive a bronze medal for the women’s long jump event from the Beijing 2008 Games due to the disqualification of Tatyana Lebedeva from Russia; and Kaliese Spencer will also receive a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles from the London 2012 Olympic Games due to the disqualification of Natalya Antyukh from Russia.

“We made it absolutely clear that we will be investing in our athletes and carrying out our mandate, which is sports for all and all for sports and we have continued this approach in financing the endeavours of our athletes and we will continue to do so,” noted JOA President Christopher Samuda.

Jamaica’s athletes will have full access to Jamaican culinary favourites in Paris as GraceKennedy was announced as the official and exclusive nutrition partner for the JOA over the next four years. The deal, which is valued at $75 million dollars, will see the company providing products for teams at the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Games in addition to the upcoming Youth Summer Olympics and the Pan American Games.

“Tonight marks a historic moment. GraceKennedy, a name synonymous with Jamaican excellence, is joining forces with the Jamaica Olympic Association, another organisation similarly associated with excellence, as one of its official partners,” said Dave DaCosta, CMO, GraceKennedy Financial Group.

“Athletes are finely-tuned machines and peak performance demands peak nutrition. Grace Foods, the official and exclusive nutrition partner, will be providing the Jamaica Olympic team with its full product portfolio at the Olympic Village in Paris,” DaCosta added.

Representatives from the JOA’s other major sponsors Red Stripe, Supreme Ventures Limited, Mayberry and Marathon Insurance also delivered remarks, expressing their companies’ commitment to the efforts of Jamaica’s athletes towards the realisation of their Olympic dreams.

“As a company deeply rooted in Jamaican culture, Red Stripe understands the importance of supporting our athletes as they strive for excellence on the world stage. Through initiatives like our ‘Go for Gold and Glory’ campaign, we’re not just cheering from the sidelines; we’re inviting consumers to join us in the journey,” said Red Stripe Head of Corporate Affairs Dianne Ashton-Smith.

Meanwhile, Supreme Ventures Limited’s Chief Marketing Officer Heather Goldson underlined her company’s pride in being a key part of the island’s Olympic movement.

“Supreme Ventures Limited is humbled and exited to return as a sponsor of the Jamaica Olympic team, supporting their journey to Paris in 2024. At Supreme Ventures, we believe in creating winners not just through our popular games across the gamut of the industry — lottery, numbers, sports betting, instants, online gaming, horse racing, and multiple others, but also by giving back to sports and sports development in Jamaica in general,” said Goldson.

Jamaica won nine medals (4 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze) at the last Olympic Games, which took place in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021, a year behind schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.