Michael Frater
Michael Frater

The Christopher Samuda-led administration of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), prior to coming into office, promised that athletes would have an influential voice at the highest level of sport and a constitutional right to representation.

Accordingly, in a meeting of the general assembly early this year, the JOA’s constitution was unanimously amended to create an Athlete Director’s voting position on the board and to expressly recognise the establishment of an Athletes’ Commission.

The Commission was established and met after the meeting and well known and respected Olympian, Michael Frater, O.D., assumed the presidency of the inaugural body.

A member of the world record-breaking 4x100m teams at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2012 London Olympic Games as well as the 100m silver medalist at the 2005 Helsinki World Championships, the well-decorated Frater comes to the table with a wealth of knowledge of, and experience in, athletes’ affairs across disciplines.

An inductee in the Lettermen’s Hall of Fame at the Texas Christian University and a distinguished graduate of Texas Christian University, where he earned a degree with a major in Political Science and a minor in History, Frater was named in 2003 Academic All American, awarded the 2002 Conference USA Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, and won the All American Athlete five times.

Frater, in his customary sedate style, said in response to this historic achievement: “I am fully aware of the responsibility I have to give a reasoned and an effective voice on behalf of athletes at the national table and, in so doing, to influence positively the development of sport administration. It is a historic achievement for all athletes and I applaud the JOA for its vision and commitment.”

Frater is supported by a strong team of well-known athletes including First Vice President, Denise Cole, Equestrian; Second Vice President, Sashalee Wallen, Volleyball; Secretary General, Shawn Barnes, Skeet Shooting; Treasurer, Amal Knight, Football; as well as Commission members Chris Binnie (Squash) and Vangelee Williams (Netball).

The team will work closely with JOA Secretary General/CEO, Ryan Foster, in developing and executing strategic and development plans and in initiating collaborations with other athletes’ commissions, as well as global sporting bodies and agencies.

In hailing the historic formation of the Commission and Frater’s directorship, JOA President, Christopher Samuda, said: ”Our athletes are why we all are here serving the national interest and, therefore, it is imperative for us to hear their voices, understand their thoughts, give meaning to their language and embrace the lessons of their advocacy. I have every confidence that Frater, a man of integrity, will get the job done.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has long endorsed the need for athlete representation in policy-making and implementation in sport and the JOA is now numbered among the several National Olympic Committees globally, whose athletes’ commissions of current and former Olympians are playing an integral role in the growth and development of sport.

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Anthony Foster is a renowned Jamaican sports journalist, honored twice as the Jamaica sports journalist of the year (in 2004 and 2005). His journalistic achievements are globally recognized. Notably, he authored an award-winning article on Usain Bolt, the iconic 6-time Olympic champion, 11-time World champion, and record holder for the sprint double. This significant piece was published in the Jamaica Gleaner in 2004. Anthony's extensive coverage includes prestigious events such as the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016. He has also provided coverage for seven (7) World Athletics Championships held between 2007 and 2022, alongside various other international sporting events. Noteworthy mentions comprise his coverage of the 2007 World Cup of cricket and his cherished experience reporting on the 2004 clash between his favorite football team, Argentina, and the USA.

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