GOLDEN GIRLS: Jamaica's athletes (left to right), Peta-Gaye Dowdie, Tracy-Ann Rowe, Aleen Bailey and Sheri-Ann Brooks, smile after winning the gold medal in the women's 4X100m relay race at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. - AP

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil:

Chef de Mission Compton Rodney has described the island's participation in the XV Pan American Games as part of the "development process" of Jamaica's athletes.

Rodney said the Games, which had its closing ceremony at the famous Maracana Stadium last night, was a good opportunity for younger athletes to test themselves for the future.

"For example, in tennis, we had two 18-year-olds competing. It is good development for them, as well as for the people in badminton. In swimming, we had very young people who will come along over the next four-year cycle. For track and field, again another crop of youngsters. Anastasia Le-Roy (who has just left Holmwood) got the opportunity to compete in the 4x400m.

The chef de mission was happy with the nine-medal medal haul, five less than the tally for the 2003 Games in Santo Domingo. In Santo Domingo, Jamaica collected 11 medals in track and field and three in badminton.

"I think we did very well and we ought, as Jamaicans, to be very proud of the performances. In the case of boxing, we could have done better than (one bronze) if the fighters had not come up so early against the Cubans."

Rodney said that with this process of development "over the next few years at Commonwealth Games, Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and Pan American Games, you can look forward to some of these athletes getting medals at gold, silver or bronze".

He felt the Games were, overall, well organised, but there were some teething problems.

"Initially, there were some difficulties in transportation and there were some other problems with the buildings which are new."

The Pan American Village is comprised of 17 buildings of 10 floors each, with 1,480 apartments, offering excellent conditions to house up to 7,776 athletes with all bedrooms having a private bathroom.

"But those (transport and building problems) were minor and in the initial chef de missions meetings these issues were raised and by the time we reached midway they were removed.

"They moved the transportation to the pool system where each delegation had drivers and cars assigned to them. Once they did that, which was our recommendation, the problem was solved," Rodney said.

He was of the firm opinion that the village is one of the best that has been seen in any Games.

"That is not only the view of a few, it is the view of most of those who have attended many Games," Rodney added.

He lauded the hospitality of the Brazilians.

"The welcome and the assistance we have got from the Brazilians could not be better. It has been very good.

"They have been very responsive to the requests of the various delegations, very courteous and very helpful."

The chef de mission will return to Jamaica on Wednesday.

Before then the remaining members of the delegation will leave the village.

- Elton Tucker