Track and field coach Glen Mills has criticised the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) for granting the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) just 14 team officials instead of the 17 it requested for the Olympic Games in Paris next month. Mills also said that he has received offers to be a member of other nations’ delegations for the Games and if forced, he may consider his options.

“It is a disgrace that the Jamaica Olympic Association denies track and field the benefit of the required numbers,” Mills said. “Seventeen persons for a team of 65-70 athletes is totally inadequate. I know that and I have been there and I have done that.”

Mills, formerly the coach of Jamaica’s sprint legend Usain Bolt, said that he had declined offers from two other Olympic associations to join their team for this year’s Olympic Games due to his love for his country.

“If it is forced that I recognise the necessity for other coaches who have numerous athletes, I could have gone to the Olympics with other countries,” Mills said. “I was offered two full accreditations, full funding, but I could never see myself wearing another country’s [colours], but if I am forced to, then I will have to.”

Mills has been involved in nine previous Olympic Games as part of Jamaica’s technical and coaching staff. He said that he is dismayed at the JOA’s decision to limit the JAAA to 14 team officials for the Paris Olympics.

“I find it very unfortunate that track and field, and what it represents in the Olympic movement, not just in Jamaica but worldwide, along with Jamaica’s history, we are not beggars, we have earned it,” he said. “I have been to nine Olympics. It is a disgrace that you have to fight to get the required number of coaches, the required number of therapists and doctors to go with an Olympic team that is probably rated number two or three in the world.

“I have done six or seven Olympics as the technical director and coach, so I know what it is to go there and work with so many different events and so many responsibilities. So, I cannot see why the number is a problem.”

JAAA President Garth Gayle explained that they have made it clear to the JOA that the 14 spots allocated are insufficient. He expressed disappointment over not receiving a response despite requesting a review. Gayle underscored the necessity for additional personnel, including medical staff, therapists, and management, to adequately support athletes across various disciplines at next month’s Olympic Games.

“We believe this is a reasonable request,” Gayle said in a press conference on Monday. “Considering the wide range of disciplines, horizontal jumps, vertical jumps, throws, as well as medical personnel and therapists, we are requesting the JOA to increase the number by three to make it 17.

“Their response has been 14 and that’s it, but we are asking that they review it.”

When contacted on Monday, JOA President Christopher Samuda said he would provide a factual response at a later date.