Natasha Ruddock who won silver in the 100m hurdles at the World Youth Championships. - PHOTOS BY ANTHONY FOSTER
THE INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) have joined forces to adopt five outstanding young athletes.
World Junior 100m bronze medallist Remaldo Rose, World Youth 200m bronze medallist Latoya King and Boys' Champs Class Two sprint double champion Cawayne Jervis are the ones adopted by the IOC.
Natasha Ruddock, the World Youth and Pan American Junior 100m hurdles silver medallist and Carifta Games Under-17 sprint double champion Yohan Blake, both of St. Jago, are the two to receive help from the JOA.
IAAF's Area Representative Teddy McCook, who disclosed this yesterday at the Gibson Relays Sponsors' Luncheon held at the Courtleigh Hotel, explained the reasons for the selections.
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He said the IOC, through it's Olympic Solidarity Programme identified these athletes and asked for Jamaica's recommendation.
"They communicated with us to find out what are our own views, and if we were prepared to name them as representatives to receive this particular grant," he explained.
While admitting Jamaica has a number of talented sprinters and hurdlers McCook said Ruddock was something special. Rose, he said, was also very special.
McCook also explained what it will take for the athletes to keep this grant.
"The athletes must demonstrate on an annual basis that they are making the necessary progress in order for them to maintain the support. Secondly, if any of these indicate by performance that they are capable of doing well at the 2008 Olympics, there will be additional funding.
"But because of their ages, there are programmes for 2012," added McCook while saying the Olympic Movement is ensuring that the level of performances at the Games remains at a high standard.
He also made it clear that the IOC grant, through the Olympic Solidarity programme, is spread among all Olympic sports (28) and Jamaica was indeed fortunate to be granted three of approximately 1200 spots.
- Anthony Foster
