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,
Updates
July 27, 2024
The condition of the National Stadium pool deck is a direct insult to the athletes training there. Call the office of Olivia Grange today to demand a formal cleanup plan. Tell them that burning trash near our national swimmers is a health hazard that ends now.
July 27, 2024
The momentum behind this petition is proving that our community will not tolerate these dangerous conditions at the National Stadium. Send this link directly to your local representative today to ensure they know the public is watching. Keep posting this on Facebook so the people in charge cannot look away.
19 Comments
I am trying to train for masters world championships and can’t with this pollution
Seriously. It's 2024. We must can do better. I remember back in the 70s when it was no good to swim in the pool.
We love the pool. We are making a positive impact on many Jamaican children. We are doing great work. Please help us
Jamaican national swimming/water polo team member 1980-1997 Carifta, CCCAN, CAC, Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Pan Pacific championships, Atlanta Olympics ‘96
Swam and played Water Polo for JA 1978 to 1995!! The National Stadium is the home of Jamaican Swimming, Water Polo, Synchro Swimming and Diving!!
Really hope this matter will be resolved.
The National Aquatic Centre needs to be refreshed / updated.
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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,
Updates
July 27, 2024
The condition of the National Stadium pool deck is a direct insult to the athletes training there. Call the office of Olivia Grange today to demand a formal cleanup plan. Tell them that burning trash near our national swimmers is a health hazard that ends now.
July 27, 2024
The momentum behind this petition is proving that our community will not tolerate these dangerous conditions at the National Stadium. Send this link directly to your local representative today to ensure they know the public is watching. Keep posting this on Facebook so the people in charge cannot look away.
19 Comments
Our athletes who always make us so proud on the world stage deserve much better than this! Mr Prime Minister, please do everything within your power to fix this!
I am trying to train for masters world championships and can’t with this pollution
Seriously. It's 2024. We must can do better. I remember back in the 70s when it was no good to swim in the pool.
We love the pool. We are making a positive impact on many Jamaican children. We are doing great work. Please help us
Jamaican national swimming/water polo team member 1980-1997 Carifta, CCCAN, CAC, Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Pan Pacific championships, Atlanta Olympics ‘96
Swam and played Water Polo for JA 1978 to 1995!! The National Stadium is the home of Jamaican Swimming, Water Polo, Synchro Swimming and Diving!!
Really hope this matter will be resolved.
The National Aquatic Centre needs to be refreshed / updated.
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Our athletes who always make us so proud on the world stage deserve much better than this! Mr Prime Minister, please do everything within your power to fix this!