Paris, France – In the wake of Danniel Thomas-Dodd’s disappointing exit from the women’s shot put competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the 31-year-old athlete has made strong allegations against the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) accusing the organizations of neglecting field events and providing inadequate support to throwers.
Thomas-Dodd, who failed to advance to the final round after finishing 13th overall with a season-best throw of 18.12 meters, expressed her frustration in a candid post-competition statement.
“I’m very disappointed, obviously. It is something that is more than within my capabilities of doing. Unfortunately, it just didn’t come together on the day. It’s the second Olympics now that I have finished in the 13th spot; it’s the second Olympics now that I’ve requested to have my coach with me and was denied,” Thomas-Dodd said, highlighting a recurring issue that she believes has hampered her Olympic performance.
Thomas-Dodd, who has achieved significant success on the world stage, including World Indoor and Outdoor Championships silver medals and a Commonwealth Games gold medal, did not hold back in criticizing the two organizations for what she perceives as a lack of respect and support for field events in Jamaica.
“For everything that I have done so far for this nation of Jamaica and what I’ve done for throws in Jamaica, you would think that the least I could get is the respect that I feel I deserve. Give me what all of my competitors have,” she stated. “It’s tough going into a competition when mentally, you wish things were different. It’s just frustrating having to deal with an organization that has no respect for the field events in Jamaica.”
Thomas-Dodd’s frustration was further fueled by the irony that Jamaica’s only gold medal at these Olympics, so far, has come from a thrower—an achievement she feels underscores the need for greater investment and respect for field athletes.
“It’s very frustrating to watch everyone out there having everything that they need to their comfort, and it’s heart-breaking. Most of the medals we have got so far have come from field events, and we are the most looked-down-on event in Jamaica track and field. They keep forgetting it’s not just track; it’s called track and field,” she lamented.
In response, JOA President Christopher Samuda issued a strong statement addressing Thomas-Dodd’s claims, describing them as “most unfortunate and extremely misleading.” Samuda pointed out that Thomas-Dodd had personally benefited from millions of dollars in financial support from the JOA through the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship, funds which are intended to cover training, travel, and other expenses.
“It is most unfortunate and extremely misleading for Miss Dodd to make statements to the effect that the Jamaica Olympic Association is not assisting field events and throwers, and she failed to disclose that she personally benefited from millions of dollars from the JOA under the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship,” Samuda said.
“I’m permitting Miss Dodd the opportunity to clarify matters and to disclose to the public how much she received over four years, demonstrating that the facts are not only telling but becoming of the truth.”
Significant contributions
Samuda further emphasized that the JOA has made significant contributions to the development of field events in Jamaica, citing the example of funds expended to repair lights at the Usain Bolt Track at the University of the West Indies, which was done in response to a request from discus thrower Fedrick Dacres.
“Miss Dodd is also fully aware that her colleagues in the field of play—Odane Richards, Fedrick Dacres, Chai Chang, and others—have all benefited financially from the Jamaica Olympic Association, and Miss Dodd asserts that nothing is being done by the JOA to assist throwers,” Samuda added.
“When in response to the call of Fedrick Dacres, the JOA expended funds to repair the lights at the Usain track to enable training to be conducted after daylight when funding from third parties could not be secured. Is that not assisting throwers? And field events?”
Samuda also addressed Thomas-Dodd’s concerns about the absence of her coach, explaining that the JOA does not select coaches but only accredits individuals on lists provided by member federations and validated by international governing bodies.
“It is so unfortunate, but Miss Dodd must, in these matters, be true to herself and the nation,” Samuda concluded. “The JOA will not be deterred from supporting our sportsmen and women, and we congratulate our first-time Olympians who seized the moment and earned medal glory for our beloved country.”
Thomas-Dodd’s comments and Samuda’s response highlight a growing tension between athletes and the administration, raising questions about how resources are allocated and whether more can be done to support Jamaica’s field event athletes. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed in the future to ensure that all Jamaican athletes receive the support they need to excel on the world stage.
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