While the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) is looking for increased participation for the Los Angeles (LA) Olympics in 2028, President Lance Rochester says laying a strong foundation at the youth level will be key in making that a reality.

Jamaica has proven to be one of the best Caribbean countries in Olympic aquatics, with eight consecutive appearances at the Summer Games after only competing at the 1968, 1972, and 1984 Games.

However, the country hasn’t sent more than three representatives in aquatics since the last time the Olympics were held in Los Angeles 42 years ago when four men — Allan Roy Marsh, Andrew Phillips, Gordon Scarlett, and Deryck Marks competed in a combined eight events.

In Paris 2024 Josh Kirlew and Sabrina Lyn competed in swimming while Yona Knight-Wisdom made his third and final appearance in diving.

Rochester, who was recently re-elected as ASAJ president for a second consecutive term, told the
Jamaica Observer that he expects preparations to intensify this year as they build towards the Olympics in two years.

“We know that our senior athletes, in particular, remain focused on that LA 2028 mission and their training programmes, whether locally or in their colleges where some of them are based, and I know they have their targets set on a pathway to qualification,” he said.

However, Rochester says continuing the country’s growth in numbers will ultimately depend on the talent at the youth level.

“I would say at this stage, going into 2026, we also have our eyes keenly focused on our age-groupers within the regional space, particularly events like the Carifta Games, the Goodwill Games, and our Pan American regional events,” he said. “Those are critical stepping stones towards an LA 2028 Olympic Games and World Championships, so our athletes remain focused on those events.”

Rochester says their success in regional competitions last year shows that they have the quality needed to matriculate into the senior ranks.

“Jamaica has done quite well in 2025,” he said. “Credit to our athletes, our parents who have supported them, and our coaches, because we actually had a second place overall finish at the Carifta Games and the Goodwill Games and we have not been there in quite a while.

“We had record medal hauls at many of those events and that is credit to work that has been ongoing for the association over several years prior and continued investment by our coaches and our parents. We are seeing some very positive signs at the age group swimming level and other sports like artistic swimming, for example, which has more activity outside of Kingston than ever before with our clubs that are active in Montego Bay.”

Rochester is confident that their performances will continue to improve as they look towards their major targets.

“So many things are looking promising for 2026 on the basis of our 2025 performances,” he said. “And, of course, athletes continue to focus on the pinnacle within their relative sports and relevant sports, but the age group level competitions are a critical pathway towards that ultimate achievement.”

Swimming, artistic swimming, marathon swimming, diving, and water polo are the aquatic events at the 2028 LA Games. Jamaica has only competed in swimming and diving in its 11 appearances and is still seeking its first medal in either discipline.

Members of Jamaica’s team to the Carifta Swimming Championships going through their paces during a training session at the National Aquatics Centre in March 2022.

Jamaican diver Yona Knight Wisdom competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)