AHEAD of Jamaica’s appearance at the Olympics this summer, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed confidence that the nation’s track and field athletes will achieve great success at the Paris Games.

The national senior championships ended on Sunday at the National Stadium with dozens of athletes booking their spot in France ahead of track and field competition, which is set to run from August 1 to 11.

There was a sense of worry from the public due to many local athletes not participating on the circuit prior to the national championships, as well as speculation on the injury and fitness of some of the potential contenders.

Heated discussions also took place recently when America’s former National Football League (NFL) star, now sports presenter Shannon Sharpe, boasted on ESPN’s debate programme First Take that the likes of American world champions Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles would outlast the Jamaican sprinters next month.

However, after seeing the performances of the athletes at the championships over the last four days, including the men’s 100m final, Prime Minister Holness says he’s eager to see Jamaica’s medal haul in Paris.

“When I saw the race of young Kishane Thompson doing 9.77 I was watching a video before of an American commentator saying, ‘We’re coming for you Jamaica!’ because, obviously, they were all hearing the news that our athletes were injured and possibly not running so they felt that they have a good chance. Of course one commentator was saying, ‘Hey, don’t do that because these Jamaicans, their talent pool is deep’ — and so said, so realised,” said Prime Minister Holness.

“We are the little island that could, the little island that can, the little island that did, and the little island that will continue to do great things. Jamaica is a paradox, in some sense. Jamaica has achieved so many good things; we are a great nation. Our talent pool is deep, and I want to encourage our athletes to continue to do well, continue to make Jamaica proud. We’re behind you and we know that you can do it,” he added.

The Holness-led Government recently pledged that every athlete who qualifies for the Olympics will receive $360,000 to help with preparation for the Games.

Sports Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange also revealed that athletes and their support staff will be rewarded to the tune of $50 million post-Olympics.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association is set to announce the full team and technical staff in the coming days, before travelling to France at the end of the month.

Notable names who are expected to represent the team at the summer Games include Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Kishane Thompson, Oblique Seville, Jaydon Hibbert, Shanieka Ricketts, Natoya Goule-Toppin and Dannielle Thomas-Dodd.