Skateboarding takes heart stage in Jamaica in celebration of the Olympic spirit 500 days to Paris 2024
Tuesday, March 14 marked an vital milestone on the highway to the Paris 2024 Summer time Video games.
On a scorching morning in Bull Bay, the French Embassy in Jamaica, in partnership with Jamaica Skate Tradition and the Freedom Skatepark Basis, kicked off a one-hour sporting occasion to rejoice the 500-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Video games.
This occasion was a part of a worldwide relay with 100 French embassies throughout 5 continents, with every embassy organizing a one-hour sporting occasion from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (native time) and handovers going down just about by way of social media networks. The Jamaican occasion acquired the relay from St. Lucia at 9:00 am and handed it to Mexico at 10:00 am.
The occasion in Jamaica was held on the Freedom Skatepark and Youth Centre in Bull Bay, with the grasp of ceremony, His Excellency Olivier Guyonvarch, Ambassador of France in Jamaica, assisted by Thomas Leydier, Counsellor, and Deputy Head of Mission.
Skateboarding is a brand new self-discipline within the Olympic Video games, making its debut on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The French Embassy selected to rejoice this by partnering with the 2 registered Jamaican skateboard foundations, Jamaica Skate Tradition and the Freedom Skatepark Basis.
This occasion showcased the spirit of the Olympic Video games, emphasizing the values of brotherhood, cultural variety, and group engagement.
Skateboarding is greater than only a sport; it represents a tradition by itself, with a powerful connection to artwork, music, and vogue. Additionally it is a robust instrument for social inclusion, bringing collectively individuals from completely different socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures. This occasion on the Freedom Skatepark and Youth Centre in Bull Bay demonstrated how skateboarding can promote optimistic social change and provides again to the group.
Through the occasion, 12 college students from Donald Quarrie Excessive College have been launched to skateboarding, accompanied by their instructor and principal, Talbert Weir. They have been in a position to expertise the enjoyment of skateboarding and join with native skaters, creating a way of group and shared expertise.
Different company included Suzanne Henry, Secretary-Common of the Jamaica Paralympic Affiliation; Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, First Counsellor, and Head of Cooperation for the European Union Delegation (Caribbean area); Manon Goudier, Director of Alliance Française; Dr. Sharmella Roopchand-Martin, Head of the Mona Academy of Sports activities; Cecile Hosang, Agent Lecturer on the Mona Academy of Sports activities; and Edith Doekoe, French athlete coaching in Jamaica.
Kimberley Harris, Secretary of Jamaica Skate Tradition, took care of the company whereas the employees taught skateboarding to the youngsters. Supervisor Blake Burnett, Nicola Balla, Ray Quon, and demos by Ivah Wilmot SK876 founder, Ronald Hastings, Daniel Mattis, and Onan Stephenson.
BMX was represented by Damion Douglas, Garnet Lopez, Sean Roberts, Jermaine Baker, Daniel Gooden, Okeen Wallace and Romario. The Freedom Skatepark Basis was represented by Lisa Doyen from Seprod and Gina Mair, with Remy Walter, Director of Sport and founding father of JSC, organizing the occasion for the French Embassy and FSF.
The French Ambassador selected Bull Bay because the venue for the occasion due to the group’s sturdy position in supporting the challenge and giving again to the youngsters of the realm.
The objective of Jamaica Skate Tradition and its companions is a part of a wider challenge to advertise skateboarding in Jamaica and create secure areas for younger individuals to interact in sport and develop their abilities, offering alternatives for youth to excel and discover stability away from digital screens and endemic violence.
Working with and in colleges and organizing a primary Nationwide championship are additionally methods to organize and provides entry to a most of women and boys discovering the abilities and future champions of tomorrow to symbolize Jamaica on the highest stage.
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Video games should still be 18 months away, however the French Embassy and its companions in Jamaica are already working exhausting to advertise a tradition of sports activities and inclusion that may have long-lasting advantages for the group.
Because the countdown continues, extra occasions and initiatives are deliberate to deliver the Olympic spirit to Jamaica and encourage younger individuals to get entangled in sports activities.
Skateboarding and BMX could also be seen as unconventional sports activities, however their inclusion within the Olympics highlights the various and inclusive nature of the video games.
By celebrating the Olympic spirit with skateboarding and BMX in Jamaica, the French Embassy, Jamaica Skate Tradition, and Freedom Skatepark Basis have proven how sports activities can deliver individuals collectively and create a way of group and belonging.