July 26, 2024

The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP Prime Minister

Office of the Prime Minister

1 Devon Road

Kingston 10

Dear Prime Minister,

We are a cohort of concerned former Jamaican national swimmers. We grew up training and competing at the National Stadium swimming pool, and spent at least 20 hours per week, either in the pool or training on the stadium grounds. Over the past 40 years, we have competed there for swimming, diving and waterpolo. We genuinely cherish this facility as a second home.

It was astonishing to see the footage of the atrocious conditions at our beloved National Stadium. The Jamaica national swim team was in training with their coaches standing on the pool deck, as thick smoke filled the air around them. The smoke was from a fire being used to burn garbage, a few feet from the diving pool.

We expect that our athletes’ health and well being should be a priority. Waste disposal practices should incorporate this priority in every aspect of daily operations.

We are imploring you, Prime Minister, to take action now. Please ask your Minister of Sports, Culture, Entertainment and Gender Affairs,The Honourable Olivia Grange to take immediate steps to remedy this situation.

This is truly unacceptable

Our national team and all other swim teams deserve so much better.

Yours Sincerely,