National swim coach Wendy Lee is delighted that swimmers Josh Kirlew and Sabrina Lyn qualified to represent Jamaica at the Olympic Games in Paris next month. Both athletes secured their spots through the universality clause as the fastest male and female swimmers in Jamaica.

Kirlew, based in the United Kingdom and boasting a personal best time of 54.24 seconds, will compete in the men’s 100m butterfly event. Lyn, a student at Louisiana State University in the United States, will represent Jamaica in the women’s 50m freestyle with a personal best of 25.83 seconds.

Lee commended both athletes for their hard work over the past year and expressed her happiness at their qualification.

“I am very proud and excited because it was a long journey, and they have worked very hard, so it was well-deserved,” she said. “Both athletes are very young, and this is their first Olympics. Sabrina Lyn is the Caribbean champion. I hope that she will emerge as the top performer among all the Caribbean islands, and the same goes for Josh.

“Ideally, our goal is for Jamaica to have the best representation from the region after the competition is over.”

Lee said both athletes are eager to compete in their first Olympic Games and are determined to make Jamaica proud in Paris.

“There has been great anticipation, and they have been on the waiting list for three or four weeks, so they were prepared,” she said. “It was tough because three girls were competing for one spot. Sabrina was thrilled but also saddened that her teammates couldn’t join her.

“I know Josh was eagerly waiting and knocking on the door because he really wanted to make it. He has worked hard, recently improved his best time at a swim meet, and is fully prepared.

“I am so proud that swimming has made it to the Olympics because I heard that it has been a hard road for many of the athletes, so the fact that swimming has two Olympic representatives is just beyond pride.”

Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President Christopher Samuda is also happy at Kirlew’s and Lyn’s selection to represent Jamaica in Paris.

“Alia [Atkinson, the retired Jamaican Olympic swimmer] left an enduring legacy of excellence and now it is for the next generation to create their own waves in pursuing their dreams in making Jamaica’s continued success in the pool,” Samuda said. “The JOA is solidly with Sabrina and Josh, our aquatic ambassadors, who have made several sacrifices to represent Jamaica. Their destination is Paris and the JOA is journeying with them, for their inspiration is ours and Jamrock is our land we love.”