By Ian Burnett
(Source: CNW)
In a powerful reaffirmation of its long-standing relationship with Caribbean athletics, World Athletics has committed US$100,000 (approximately J$16 million) to assist Jamaica’s track and field community following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe during a media briefing at the headquarters of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), signaling both immediate relief and the continuation of a broader regional support strategy.
Structured recovery for athletes and officials
The funds, to be disbursed through the International Athletics Foundation, are designated for recovery pathways and targeted support programs for athletes, coaches, and officials whose training environments and livelihoods were disrupted by the storm.
“We can recruit external teams and agencies to come to the table to help,” Coe said. “And I’m delighted to be able to announce this morning that we will make available $100,000 to help with those pathways and those programs.”
Ian Forbes, First Vice President of the JAAA, confirmed that the association will consult directly with athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders to determine the most effective and equitable use of the funds.
Relief effort extends beyond immediate funding
World Athletics’ response will not end with the financial grant. Coe also revealed plans for a 5K charity run in Kingston this April, following discussions with Mayor Andrew Swaby. Coe will serve as patron of the event, with proceeds directed toward broader hurricane relief efforts.
The initiative underscores a commitment to community-driven recovery while expanding the reach of support beyond the track and field fraternity.
Jamaica visit highlights high-level engagement
Now in his 10th year as president of World Athletics, Coe’s visit to Jamaica included meetings with Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, reinforcing the non-partisan and national significance of the relief initiative.
He also engaged with key athletics stakeholders and visited Jamaica College and Excelsior High School, institutions central to Jamaica’s athletic pipeline and international success.
A consistent record of Caribbean intervention
The Jamaica relief package reflects a broader and well-established pattern of World Athletics engagement across the Caribbean.
Historically, the global governing body, often working through the International Athletics Foundation, has stepped in to provide emergency assistance following natural disasters, while also supporting facility rehabilitation, coaching education, technical officiating programs, and youth development initiatives throughout the region.
These interventions have typically blended short-term stabilization with long-term capacity building, ensuring that affected federations can recover without sacrificing future growth. Jamaica has frequently served as a regional hub for such initiatives, hosting educational programs and pilot projects that have benefited neighboring Caribbean federations.
More than aid, a statement of solidarity
As the international governing body for track and field, World Athletics’ involvement in Jamaica represents more than financial support. It is a reaffirmation of the Caribbean’s central role in the global sport and a recognition that safeguarding its athletic infrastructure is essential to the future of track and field worldwide.
Coe leaves behind a tangible framework for recovery and a renewed expression of solidarity between World Athletics and the Caribbean athletics communit.
