As we count down the days the 2012 Olympic Games in London it makes perfect sense to look back at Jamaica’s medal winning performances over the decades. Ironically, Jamaica first participated at the Olympic Games in 1948 which like this year’s games was also held in London. Jamaica has amassed 55 medals in total at the Olympic games 13 gold medals, 25 silver medals and 17 bronze medals. All of those medals except David Weller’s 1980 bronze medal in cycling have come in track and field – an area where Jamaica has grown to dominate regionally and international in recent years. With a seemingly unrelenting flow of fresh talent year after year the future of Jamaican athletics on the Olympic stage will continue on for many more years.

We are sure Jamaica will do well at the 2012 London Olympic Games and it is not a matter of if we will win any medals it is a matter of how many! Vote in the poll below and take a look at the list of Jamaica’s Olympic medal winners over the years.

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• 1948 London

Arthur Wint – Men’s 400m – GOLD
Herbert McKenley – Men’s 400m – SILVER
Arthur Wint – Men’s 800m – SILVER

• 1952 Helsinki

Vincent George Rhoden – Men’s 400m – GOLD
Men’s 4x400m Relay – GOLD
Herbert McKenley – Men’s 100m – SILVER
Herbert McKenley – Men’s 400m – SILVER
Arthur Wint – Men’s 800m – SILVER

• 1956 Melbourne

No Medals

• 1960 Rome

Competed as part of the British West Indies Team

• 1964 Tokyo

No Medals

• 1968 Mexico City

Lennox Miller – Men’s 100m – SILVER

• 1972 Munich

Lennox Miller – Men’s 100m – BRONZE

• 1976 Montreal

Donald Quarrie – Men’s 200m – Gold
Donald Quarrie - Men’s 100m – SILVER

Iconic photo of Jamaican sprinter Donald Quarrie

• 1980 Moscow

Donald Quarrie - Men’s 200m – BRONZE
Merlene Ottey-Page – Women’s 200m – BRONZE
David Weller – Men’s 1km Time Trial - BRONZE

• 1984 Los Angeles

Men’s 4x100m Relay – SILVER
Merlene Ottey-Page - Women’s 100m – BRONZE
Merlene Ottey-Page - Women’s 200m – BRONZE

• 1988 Seoul

Grace Jackson Small – Women’s 200m – SILVER
Men’s 4x400m Relay – SILVER

• 1992 Barcelona

Juliet Cuthbert – Women’s 100m - SILVER
Juliet Cuthbert  - Women’s 200m - SILVER
Winthrop Graham – Men’s 400m Hurdles – SILVER
Merlene Ottey-Page - Women’s 200m – BRONZE

Merlene Ottey competing at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta

• 1996 Atlanta

Deon Marie Hemmings – Women’s 400m Hurdles – GOLD
Merlene Ottey-Page - Women’s 100m – SILVER
Merlene Ottey-Page - Women’s 200m – SILVER
James Beckford – Men’s Long Jump – SILVER
Women’s 4x100m Relay – BRONZE
Men’s 4x400m Relay – BRONZE

• 2000 Sydney

Tanya Lawrence – Women’s 100m - SILVER
Lorraine Graham – Women’s 400m - SILVER
Deon Marie Hemmings - Women’s 400m Hurdles - SILVER
Women’s 4x100m Relay - SILVER
Women’s 4x400m Relay - SILVER
Merlene Ottey-Page - Women’s 100m - BRONZE
Beverly McDonald – Women’s 200m - BRONZE
Greg Haughton – Men’s 400m - BRONZE
Men’s 4x400m Relay - BRONZE

• 2004 Athens

Veronica Campbell-Brown – Women’s 200m – GOLD
Women’s 4x100m Relay – GOLD
Danny McFarlane – Men’s 400m Hurdles – SILVER
Veronica Campbell-Brown - Women’s 100m - BRONZE
Women’s 4x400m Relay - BRONZE

Usain Bolt breaking the 100m World Record in Beijing

• 2008 Beijing

Usain Bolt – Men’s 100m - GOLD
Shelly-Ann Fraser – Women’s 100m - GOLD
Usain Bolt – Men’s 200m - GOLD
Veronica Campbell-Brown - Women’s 200m - GOLD
Melaine Walker – Women’s 400m Hurdles - GOLD
Men’s 4x100m Relay - GOLD
Sherone Simpson – Women’s 100m - SILVER
Kerron Stewart – Women’s 100m - SILVER
Shericka Williams – Women’s 400m - SILVER
Kerron Stewart - Women’s 200m - BRONZE
Women’s 4x400m Relay - BRONZE

Jamaicans are being invited to take advantage of special discount packages being offered by some of the island’s premier hotels, attractions and other tourism stakeholders. Sector partners are offering up to 50 per cent discounts on accommodation, attractions, shopping, ground transportation and at restaurants as part of the ‘Experience Jamaica’ campaign, which was launched on May 8, Wyndham Kingston hotel. Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeil, said he is confident that the initiative will generate a high level of interest from the public.

He lamented that not enough locals are experiencing the various product offerings that have made the island one of the top destinations in the world, such as intriguing heritage sites, luxurious hotels, and breathtaking attractions. “We spend a lot of money each year advertising Jamaica overseas and visitors come to our island to see and experience what is Jamaica, yet amongst our own people, while some may go to one or two attractions, like Dunn’s River Falls, not enough of them go to our hotels, our villas, or go to the myriad of other attractions we have here in Jamaica,” he said.

Dr. McNeil thanked the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) for “this welcome initiative” and lauded the sector partners – the hoteliers, villas, guest houses, and attractions, for recognising the importance of domestic tourism and putting packages together to ensure that “Jamaicans can benefit and enjoy Jamaica at a Jamaican price”. “I want to encourage everyone to start filling their weekends and vacations days with plans to explore and experience Jamaica,” he urged.

Experience Jamaica was introduced in 2009 by the JTB to inspire Jamaicans to vacation at home. The programme uses customer education and value-added discount offerings to generate interest in and use of the tourism facilities available on the island. The offerings also extend to the diplomatic community and other international residents. JTB Chairman and Director of Tourism, John Lynch, said the intention is to “stir up enthusiasm at home for the things that make Jamaica a very special place on earth – the culture, the hospitality, and of course, the natural beauty.”

He pointed out that the “deep discounts” being offered by the tourism partners is an indication of “just how eager the hospitality sector is to show Jamaicans a good time” Deputy Director of Tourism and Marketing, JTB, Sandra Scott, informed that the Board has designed a programme to make it easy for persons to start their “Jamaican adventure”, noting that over the summer months and into the fall, the offerings will be showcased through a media campaign and several road shows across the island. For the first time, the launch featured a trade show component, which saw tourism partners setting up booths where they presented their offerings. There were also several giveaways, such as free passes to attractions and hotels, and a concert.

Source – JIS

Cleaning and beautifying Jamaica’s heritage centrepiece, the National Heroes Park, in Kingston, is this year’s designated national project for Labour Day, to be observed on May 23. This will be complemented by various parish projects, which will also be earmarked for general cleaning up and beautification on that day, under the theme for Labour Day and Workers’ Week (May 20 to 26): ‘Step Forward…Make Jamaica Beautiful’.

Speaking on May 7, at the launch of the activities, at Jamaica House, Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, said the week kicks off on Sunday, May 20, with the National Church Service at the Calvary Baptist Church in Montego Bay, St. James. On Monday, May 21, there will be a Workers’ Week/Labour Day Information Hub, organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, at the Half-Way Tree Transportation Centre, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Minister advised that Ministries, Departments and Agencies will be invited to set up booths for interaction with the public. Ms. Hanna said that in addition to the projects to be undertaken, Labour Day will also be marked by special tributes to National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Samuel Sharpe, at shrines erected in his honour at National Heroes Park, and Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay. The day will culminate with the national Labour Day concert, on the Kingston waterfront, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Inviting wide-scale participation on Labour Day, the Minister informed that the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) has created a special slot on its website for on-line registration of projects, adding that the agency will use this medium to collate and provide updates on these. Access can be had via direct link at: www.jis.gov.jm/labourday.

Ms. Hanna said the focus of this year’s Labour Day activities was based on the recognition that many of the country’s public spaces, a number of which will host activities marking Jamaica’s Independence Jubilee, were in need of cleaning and beautification.

The Minister informed that Labour Day activities are the preparatory and roll out phase for the jubilee celebrations, being observed under the theme: ‘Jamaica 50: Nation on a Mission’. Part of this mission, she stressed, is helping to “restore the national beauty of Jamaica, to clean up our surroundings and encourage greater productivity.”

Ms. Hanna said the tribute to Sam Sharpe is in recognition of the contribution he was deemed to have played in the movement towards the abolishment of slavery, pointing out that, “this has, really, never received the kind of focus (it deserved).”

“We are a nation on a mission, let us step forward and, certainly, make Jamaica beautiful,” the Minister urged.

In launching the activities, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, said the theme represented a call to action for emphasis to be placed on cleaning and beautifying the environment.

“It will not be possible to honour our heritage without honouring ourselves and cleaning up our country,” Mrs. Simpson Miller stressed, while urging broad-scale participation through voluntarism.

For his part, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, noted that Jamaica’s development over the last 50 years has been characterised by the grit, determination, endurance and sacrifice of the nation’s working class.

“This is why the occasion of our 50th anniversary of independence is such an ideal time for us to pause and reflect on the contribution of the masses of the population. This is the background against which I wish to summon the society to use Workers’ Week to discuss debate and reason the value of labour to our development, and to exercise maximum voluntarism on Labour Day in the continuing development and beautification of our communities, villages and towns,” he said.

Meanwhile, Director of the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute, University of the West Indies, Mona, Danny Roberts, urged that the theme reflects “more than the symbolism of our country’s physical beauty.”

“A beautiful Jamaica must be one which not only brings the light to our eyes, but must also affect our other faculties…our sense of hearing, feeling, and is satisfying and impressive to us morally and intellectually. This is what the significance of the theme must mean to us, as Jamaicans, particularly as we reflect on our 50 years of independence, and are ready to step forward to the next 50 years,” he said.

Fifty schools across the island received computers, on May 8, courtesy of the Bank of Nova Scotia’s charitable arm, Scotia Foundation. The institutions comprised a mix of basic, primary and all age and Junior high schools. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the donation, held at the Scotia Centre in downtown Kingston, Minister of Education, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, commended the Foundation for its continued support of the education sector.

“When a major partner like Scotia bank decides to help in this way, not only is it very appropriate, because of their islandwide reach, but they are helping to build up humanity, our people, our children, and give them all the new competencies and skills they need,” he said. Rev. Thwaites called on the schools to make full use of the computers, expressing the hope that members of the wider community will also benefit from access to the machines.

The 50 schools will receive post-installation support and training, to ensure optimal use of the new computers. Executive Director, Scotia Foundation, Joylene Griffiths-Irving, said the donations to the 50 schools are in keeping with Jamaica’s 50th anniversary celebrations. “For a number of years the bank has been making annual presentations of computers to schools. Each year the number of requests increases, and so this year, in keeping with Jamaica 50, we decided we would select 50 institutions,” she told JIS News.

She informed that the Foundation donated 113 computers in total, with the Alpha Primary School receiving not only 13 computers, but also a computer lab in recognition of the school’s 120th anniversary celebrations. “The Foundation focuses on health and education and we felt that the provision of computers will make a big impact in the schools, because it is the way that the children will have access to information,” she said.

The Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Culture, has embarked on its latest job creation initiative, Digital Jam 2.0. The initiative, being undertaken in collaboration with the World Bank and other major partners, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and communication firms, Flow and LIME, comprises a programme of events, competitions and other activities, to be executed over the next six to eight weeks targeting the nation’s unemployed youth.

Digital Jam 2.0, which is being financed with grant funding and other inputs totalling upwards of US$200,000, will seek to introduce the young people to trends, training, job and entrepreneurial opportunities in the virtual economy, while showcasing their talents, ideas and successes. The initiative was formally launched by Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, during a ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), on May 8.

Ms. Hanna noted that Jamaicans are the most critical component to the nation’s survival, while pointing out that the majority of the population comprised young people. She lamented statistics from agencies, such as the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the World Bank, which showed that young people under 30 contribute to 75 per cent of the crime committed in Jamaica. Further, that 70 per cent of the nation’s young people are not trained; 55 per cent left high school without attaining the requisite qualifications for matriculation into higher education; while 85 per cent of young people indicated a desire to migrate.

“But, when you go out and you speak to our young people, you recognise the tremendous talent and enthusiasm that reside in their souls for things that are Jamaican. You recognise that they want things and they want it now. They live in an environment, not only with expectations of instant entitlement, but where they believe that they can achieve anything, if given the right opportunities,” she said. “So, what is important to understand is, we have to get creative to keep their attention,” the Minister said.

To this end, Ms. Hanna said the Ministry is now “positioning itself,” not only by strengthening the institutional framework and capacities, through the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), National Youth Service (NYS), and Child Development Agency (CDA), but by coming up with new and creative initiatives to drive young people’s understanding that Jamaica is now a country competing with some of the larger manufacturing countries for their pride of place in the global market. “And, the only way that we are going to get economic growth is if you, as a population, become productive, and to understand that you (youth) have to help us drive that,” she underscored.

Source – JIS

The national flag of Jamaica will officially fly at the Penn Relay Carnival every year beginning in 2013, into perpetuity, in recognition of the Caribbean nation’s 50th anniversary of independence and the contribution made to the relays over the last 40 years by its athletes. Director of the relays, David Johnson, made the disclosure at a special ceremony held on the final day of the 118th annual edition of the event at the Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 28, 2012.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who was present at the 2012 Penn Relay Carnival in her capacity as Minister of Sports, presented the President of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Amy Guttmann, with the national flag of Jamaica which will be flown at all future Penn Relay Carnivals. Mr. Johnson told the more than 49,000 spectators on hand for Saturday’s closing day that Jamaica would be the only country to be so honoured because of the outstanding contribution made to the games by its athletes, in addition to the tremendous presence and support given to the games by Jamaicans from all over the United States. This announcement was received with a thunderous applause and a standing ovation from spectators.

In presenting the flag, the Prime Minister said her country was honoured to be chosen by the organisers as the only country to have its flag flown at the Penn Relay Carnival. She welcomed and acknowledged the gesture as “a great tribute to the country, our athletes and Jamaicans the world over.” Prime Minister Simpson Miller saluted the relay organizers who, she said, have given our athletes the opportunity to compete and excel in track and field. She pointed out that many of our premier, world-class athletes who have excelled in track and field were first exposed to international competition at the Penn Relay Carnival.

“Our athletes who have been participating at these games for the last forty years continue to do so at a very high level of competition,” Prime Minister Simpson Miller said and further lauded Jamaica’s athletes and coaches whom she hailed as “true ambassadors of Jamaica.” In presenting a citation, a commemorative baton and flag to Prime Minister Simpson Miller, Dr. Gutmann, said the proclamation was being given in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of independence as well as to acknowledge the leadership of the Prime Minister. Dr. Gutmann recognized the visibility and impact that all past, present and future athletes of Jamaica have had on the high caliber of this athletic meet.

“Jamaica’s participation in the games has greatly influenced the yearly attendance. This is evidenced today by the great turnout and vast number of black, green and gold colors all throughout the stands,” Dr Gutmann said. In a salute to Jamaica, four athletes made an exhibition lap around the 400m track, carrying the Jamaican flag. The Prime Minister was accompanied at the games by Jamaica’s newly-appointed Consul General in New York, Mr. Herman G. Lamont; Minister of Tourism, Dr Wykeham McNeill; Jamaica’s Honorary Consul for Pennsylvania, Dr Alston Meade; and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Delano Franklin.

Source – JIS

Activities in the United Kingdom (UK) to celebrate Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence are gathering momentum, with a flurry of events to take place from May 16 to October 16. The first of three ‘Jamaica 50’ Lectures will be held at the Jamaican High Commission in London on May 16, with Executive Chairman of GraceKennedy Limited, Douglas Orane, to speak on the topic: ‘Unleashing the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Jamaica at 50’.

Distinguished Jamaican judge and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Justice Patrick Robinson, will deliver the second lecture on:‘Human Rights: Jamaica to the World: Jamaica at 50’ on June 18 at Brunel University. He will repeat the lecture the following day to an audience at the University of London.

The lecture series concludes on October 16, with Rev. Robert Beckford delivering the ‘Sam Sharpe Lecture: Jamaica at 50,’ at the High Commission in London. Cricket enthusiasts will enjoy a match between Jamaica and England on July 8 at the Kennington Oval, London, while a national church service is scheduled for July 21 at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London.

The best of Jamaican culture in art, music, and food will be on show at the ‘Jamaica House at the O2’ event, which will be held from August 2 to 12 at the O2 Arena, London. The event will be used to promote Brand Jamaica and attract tourists and investors to the island at a time when the world’s eyes will be on the country, as the athletes complete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Jamaica House will be close to the games as it will be staged at an area, which is part of the Olympic site where the basketball, gymnastics and some events for the Special Olympics will be held. Activities conclude on August 16, with the Jamaica Independence UK Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Arsenal Emirates Stadium, London.

Source – JIS

Chairperson of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Maxine Henry-Wilson, has emphasised that the Falmouth Port, in Trelawny is a natural economic asset, attracting thousands of overseas visitors, and members of the community must protect the facility. ”The port won several awards recently, and last year about 500,000 persons came to that port. Trelawny is on the map again, you have a natural asset – a port which allows you to provide for the world,” she told students of the Muschett High School, in Trelawny, at their Career Expo, held on April 27.

Mrs. Henry-Wilson, also a former Education Minister, said that persons must be trained to work at the port, who are able to provide goods and services, so that people are entertained. ”The most sustainable gift that you get, and the most sustainable opportunity that you will ever have is that of education. Nothing is going to make you more prepared for life, or is going to make you more able to adapt and survive as education,” she told the students.

She challenged the students to make use of their time at school by seizing the opportunity to get a good secondary education. ”Education allows you to be able to embrace the changes that are taking place around you. You have an opportunity here through the technical and vocational subjects, and you need to use that. You are being prepared for a world of work which is what will make you sustainable as an individual, and you will earn an income and be able to sustain your community,” Mrs. Henry-Wilson said.

She underscored the need for the students and parents to see all the subjects taught at a technical and vocational institution as important. Several of the major tertiary institutions in the island displayed their educational offerings at the expo, while the school displayed items made by the students. Muschett High has a population of over 1,600 students. The Career Expo was held under the theme: ‘Sustainable Development for Nation Building Begins with You’.

Source – JIS

The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) will be giving priority to legislative amendments during 2012/13, as it strives to improve its ability to protect the intellectual property rights of Jamaican creators, inventors and authors. “We really would love to see the passage of our patents and designs Bill. It has been just a Bill for some time now, and we would love to see it go before Parliament,” Executive Director of JIPO, Carol Simpson, told JIS News.

Mrs. Simpson was speaking at a workshop in Kingston, on April 26, to examine Information Technology and Intellectual Property issues in the digital age. She also noted that focus would be on other pieces of Intellectual Property legislation, including the issue of copyright, especially as it relates to the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) Internet Treaties, which were signed by Jamaica in 2001.

“Some amendments to the Trademarks Act and to the Geographical Indications Act [will be sought], to extend protection equally, as is given to wines and spirits, to other products, such as Blue Mountain coffee and Jerk,” she said. The JIPO Head indicated that Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, has given his commitment to assist in ensuring that the process is given priority attention.

The workshop, which was held at the offices of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), was a collaborative effort between JIPO and the law firm, Nunes Scholefield DeLeon and Company. It formed part of activities to highlight Intellectual Property Week (April 22-29), under the theme: ‘Nation Building through Creativity and Innovation’.

Other activities staged were an Open Day, which focussed on small businesses which have established trademarks and whose products and services are being offered to the public, as well as an information sharing exposition in Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay. That exposition showcased cultural heritage information, with the Maroon and Rastafarian communities taking part.

Source – JIS

Usain Bolt confirmed he will run his first 100m race of the 2012 season at the JN Jamaica Invitational, an IAAF World Challenge Meeting on 5 May at National Stadium in Kingston. Since the 100 and 200m World record holder and Olympic champion was announced for the meet almost a month ago, speculation was high as to which event he would run, though it was clear that he would not face Yohan Blake, the 100m World champion. Now that Bolt has confirmed his place in the 100m, he is likely to face former World record holder Asafa Powell while Blake looks set to run the men’s 200m.

Asked about what to expect at the Jamaica Invitational, Bolt replied: “This will be my first 100m, so I am just going out there (to try) to get everything right because it’s all about execution. I am working on my start because last year it eluded me for a little while but I have to work through it this season so I am just looking forward to getting it done,” Bolt said after his anchor run for the Racers Track Club at the UTech Classic held on 14 April at the National Stadium.

Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser, World 100m champion Carmelita Jeter of the U.S. and Melaine Walker are some of the big names announced earlier for the meet. World 400m champion Sanya Richards Ross and her American compatriot Brittney Reese, the World Long Jump champion, said they too will be in Kingston for IAAF World Challenge meeting. Both produced world-leading performances last weekend.

Source – IAAF