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ALTHOUGH SET to switch his allegiance from Jamaica to Turkey, men’s Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell believes Jamaica has the talent to become a global force in the throws events.
However, he said more will need to be done to create the structures to realise the country’s rising potential.
Campbell was speaking on Friday in a press conference for the Prefontaine Classic, where he said it will only be a matter of time before Jamaica can regularly produce world-class field athletes.
“Jamaica has the talent to be good in all the events. I think it is just a matter of time before we become a lot more consistent in the field events,” he said.
“Jamaica, we have the talent, we just need the structure to nurture the talent and I think that’s where we’re lacking.”
The Olympic medallist pointed to Jamaica’s past success in the field events as proof there is the talent readily available on the island.
He highlighted the careers of 2015 World Championships bronze medallist O’Dayne Richards, 2019 World Championships silver medallist Fedrick Dacres, and two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Traves Smikle as proof of Jamaica’s ability.
Campbell believes these athletes can stand as inspiration for Jamaica’s next generation of throwers.
“In shot put, we had O’Dayne Richards and he was a bronze medallist at the World Championships. Learning from him, he created a tradition there,” he said.
“We have our discus throwers, we have Fedrick Dacres and Traves Smikle, and they have global medals. It wasn’t hard to fit in there.”
Campbell’s call for improved structures that support development of field athletes echoed comments he made in January earlier this year when he spoke with The Gleaner at the RJRGLEANER Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards.
Speaking at the time, Campbell said the success from the Paris Olympic Games, where Jamaica picked up four of its six medals from the field, could be used as a platform to give more support to field athletes.
“There have been grassroots track meets for field events for a long time. It is just that they don’t get that same support because, we, as Jamaicans, our focus has been more on the track,” he explained.
“The meets have been around, the development has been there, but the investments have been done by a lot of coaches. But, with us being highlighted on the big stage now, I think it shows that the federations and all the associations should put even more investment into these meets.”
In fact, Campbell had explained it was that need for federation support that drove his decision to switch his allegiance to Turkey.
In an interview with the Coach’s Desk TV on YouTube, Campbell said a lack of support from the Jamaican administration led him to accept Turkey’s offer.
“In my eyes, dem nuh care bout us so mi decide seh I literally start the year with the mindset of ‘this year I am doing it for me’,” he explained.
“As a result, this is the decision I have to make. They more care about their life for the sponsor, and not their life for the country, so in a sense, they make the decision kinda easy.”
Campbell is one of four Jamaican field athletes reported to have made the switch, with Roje Stona, Wayne Pinnock, and Jaydon Hibbert also expected to switch allegiances.
English (US) ·