OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

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October 26, 2015

Prime Minister Hosts Reception to Congratulate Athletes Who Participated in the IAAF World Championships in and Special Olympians

 Specially Commends 400M Athlete Novlene Williams- Mills

As part of the activities for Heritage Month 2015, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller recently hosted a Reception at Vale Royal to congratulate and express gratitude on behalf of the nation, to the members of the country’s team who participated in the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China. “I again congratulate all the athletes who represented us in Beijing and also my special guests, the Special Olympians who did us proud in Los Angeles. You all give great hope to the Jamaican people; Hope that with the right attitude, with hard work and perseverance and with a passion to win anything is possible,” the Prime Minister declared.

Mrs. Simpson Miller issued commendations to the 4 x women relay team with a special word of encouragement to anchor leg runner, Novlene Williams-Mills on her courageous achievement at the Championships. “While I cannot single out every one of you super achievers, I must mention Novlene Williams- Mills. I commend her in particular, for her strength of character and success, despite the great adversity faced,” the Prime Minister said to rapturous applause from the audience of over 300 persons including athletes and leaders and representatives in the public and private sectors.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller pointed to the strong global brand that has developed through its outstanding sporting prowess, evidenced by producing the fastest man and woman in the world. “Jamaica is known for many great attributes. However, undoubtedly, it is sport that has placed Jamaica firmly in the minds of today’s technologically connected global audience. Our athletes keep our nation in the hearts and minds of the world, meet after meet, year after year,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

She added that the success of our athletes has helped to engender a spirit of togetherness and unity of purpose among Jamaicans. “This is the spirit that we must engender throughout Jamaica at all times. It is the spark which can drive us on the road to full development, peace, progress and prosperity for all,” Page 2

Prime Minister Hosts Reception to Congratulate Athletes Who Participated in the IAAF World Championships in Beijing and Special Olympians

Within this context, the Prime Minister said that Government is fully committed to the advancement of sport in Jamaica. She noted that Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Sport Natalie Neita-Headley is seeking to ensure that potential athletes have the support they need to become successful. “She has spear-headed the creation of a special insurance scheme for all national representatives in sport,” the Prime Minister noted.

At the recent World Championships, there were 205 IAAF member countries and territories competing, 44 of which won medals. Only one country finished ahead of Jamaica in the medal table, Kenya, with a population about 18 times the size of Jamaica.

Jamaica finished ahead of the United States which has 115 persons for every Jamaican; Brazil which has more than 73 citizens for each Jamaican; Russia and Japan which each have more than 52 citizens for every Jamaican; and host nation China which has 490 citizens for every Jamaican.

Some of the Athletes who attended the Prime Minister’s Reception include: Usain Bolt, Hansle Parchment, Nesta Carter, Asafa Powell, Nickel Ashmeade, O’Dayne Richards and Rasheed Dwyer, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shericka Jackson, Danielle Williams, Natasha Morrison, , Stephenie Ann McPherson, Novlene Williams-Mills, Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Anastasia Le-Roy and Chrisann Gordon among others.

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Contact: Communications Unit-OPM Tel: 926-0244 Fax: 920-4684 Email: [email protected] Website: www.opm.gov.jm Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamaicahouse Twitter: www.twitter.com/opmjamaica