CAC, C’wealth Games first steps toward 2028 Olympic vision

Christopher Samuda, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), hopes the performances from the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and Commonwealth Games can be used as a platform towards his 2028 Los Angeles Olympic vision.

The JOA will field two separate contingents to the CAC Games and Commonwealth Games, set to run simultaneously in the upcoming days.

Samuda said with Jamaica competing in 37 sporting disciplines across the two championships, he hopes their performances can be used as the first stepping stone towards his Olympic vision.

Samuda hopes to one day see Jamaica compete in up to 15 sporting events at the 2028 LA Games, a major increase from the four sporting disciplines Jamaica participated in 2024.

Jamaica’s record for the most events at a single Olympics stands at six, achieved at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I am hoping that Los Angeles will provide that moment in our Olympic history where I will see about 15 or 16 sports represented in the opening ceremony,” the JOA president said.

“That will give me absolute pride and although I would not say mission accomplished yet, I will say mission almost accomplished.”

COME ONBOARD

Samuda said the performances from the CAC and Commonwealth Games will not only encourage Jamaican athletes to dream of Olympic aspirations, but it will also revitalise the local sporting federations.

He eyes the upcoming championships as proof of the JOA’s commitment to sporting development, and encourages sporting federations to align with the JOA’s mission.

“What we are saying to other sports is that you have a right to self-actualise, and the Jamaica Olympic Association is here to provide that opportunity and environment for you,” Samuda said.