Despite the heavy rains that lashed the island since Friday, over a hundred Jamaicans, including the Minister of Sports Olivia Grange, the president of the Jamaica Olympic Association Mike Fennell, and the president of the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association Dr Warren Blake, turned out for the launch of two books — Chasing Grace and Run With Me— by Jamaican-born, USA 400m World and Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross last Saturday.
The event was held at the Spanish Court Hotel and saw the 32-year-old make three separate donations, two to her former schools in Jamaica, and one to the Government of Jamaica.
The first presentation was made to Vaz Prep, which included athletic gear and 20 copies of her books. Richards-Ross represented Vaz at the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Athletics Championships from the age of seven to the age of 12, and was champion girl at those championships on a number of occasions — where her burgeoning career in the sport began.
Immaculate Conception High school was also a beneficiary of athletic gear from the Olympian, who spoke glowingly of the improvements the school has made at the annual Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Athletics Championships. Admitting to not having paid much attention to the school she went to for a year before migrating to the United States, Richards-Ross was delighted to make a contribution to the vastly improved track and field programme.
Franz Forde, the head coach at Immaculate, along with Class Two shot put gold medal winner Danielle Sloley were among those who collected on behalf of the Constant Spring Road-based school.
“It was an unexpected contribution,” said Forde. “For someone who only spent one year at an institution and still give back says a lot about her character. We really appreciate it,” said the grateful coach.
Another significant contribution made by the athlete-turned-author, was to the minister of sports of the running suit she wore when she won the Olympic gold medal at the Olympic Games in London in 2012. That suit, along with a pair of spikes and running shoes, were contributions to the Jamaica Sports Museum which is set to be built by the Government later this year.
I was going to comment but dem seh if you can’t say something nice sometimes it better not to say any thing. Good Day Met and Metters.
If I had known about this I would have organized 83 ppl fi go boo dung the place! !
Why display American uniform in a Jamaican museum? She need to auction it, and donate the funds…but then again, nobody might nuh want it fi buy so Jamaica fi sekkle fi di what lef. Why shi never donate the gold medal? Child please.