Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has revealed that athletes preparing for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games will soon receive both financial and psychological support.
The Games of the 32nd Olympiad were originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo from 24t July to 9th August 2020 but was postponed until next year due to the effects of the global pandemic.
In addition, the spread of COVID-19 led to the cancelation of or postponement of many of the other major meets for the calendar year, not only leaving athletes without an income but by several accounts also mentally browbeaten. Grange has promised that the government will seek to tackle both issues as the athletes resume their preparations.
Financially, the Athletes Assistance Program, which provided 145 athletes preparing for the Games with 80,000 per month, will be resumed in short order after being suspended in July. From a psychological perspective, Grange revealed the athletes will receive support as part of an existing insurance plan.
“We will also provide support through a mental health program, through the Jamaica athletes insurance plan, to help the athletes get back into a frame of mind to overcome the setbacks they have had and to prepare themselves to be ready for the Olympics,” Grange said in a recent interview.
The Games have now been scheduled to take place between 23rd July – 8th August 2021.
