On the cusp of an Olympic berth in the historic city of Paris, Jamaica’s national 200m champion Bryan Levell, reached out to the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) for support, which the apex body has responded to in solidarity and with a cash investment of J$1 million.

An Edwin Allen High graduate and a respected medalist at the Champs, Carifta and Under 20 World levels, Levell announced his emphatic arrival on the big stage and is pleased that the JOA has answered his call.

In acknowledgement, Levell said he is “Very proud to be the first recipient of the award which will be very beneficial with me not having any support and by giving me this award the JOA is supporting my dreams and aspirations.”

JOA’s instinctive answer in the affirmative to Levell’s call was predictable.

“Excellence and merit cannot be purchased: they are earned by giving it your all and do not subscribe to ‘a buy one, get one free’ mentality and it is this philosophy, this conviction, that drove the JOA to answer the call of Bryan and his team for support and we are doing so under our own activation ‘Young Olympic Changemakers.”

Smiles accompanied by expressions of “well done” are characteristic in recognising accomplishments. But JOA secretary-general and CEO, Ryan Foster, describes the partnership achieved as “more than a smile and talk as it is a handshake that acknowledges excellence, empathises with a need and shares in an Olympic dream that has become a reality”.

“It is the firm handshake of mutuality that says we’re in this together in realising Bryan’s aspirations and for Jamaica’s glory” he said.

Commenting on the JOA/Levell connection, Levell’s manager, Damia Russell, lauded the 200m national champion’s resilience and “will to win”  in the face of having “zero sponsorship” adding that, “Bryan intends to advocate and show other young boys and girls that dreams do come true and hard work works.”

The saying “pay your dues” is often cited as a precondition to coming into your own.

That may be so, but the JOA’s view is more appealing “Making your mark is not time bound or depends on a condition that you must know your place until someone gives you space. It is grasping the moment in time, creating your space and owning a place in history which Bryan is doing,” Foster emphasised.

The terms “signed, sealed and delivered”  conclude successful business transactions and this game-changing recognition is just that.

“We have a social contract with our sportsmen and women who are our business, livelihood and lifeblood and we are delivering opportunities on a level playing field and with this financial investment we are levelling the vibes for Bryan now so that he can ‘tun up di vibes’ as he pursues his athletic career and academic goals,” said JOA president Chris Samuda.

The JOA, in a historic move in 2021, inaugurated and invested millions of dollars in its own coaches’ scholarships programme, complementing the existing Olympic solidarity scholarships which it provides for athletes.

At its official launch of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in May, the governing body announced that it had answered the calls of other athletes, and increased its athlete investment portfolio with financial support to Malik James-King, Samantha Hall, Shanieka Ricketts and Nayoka Clunis all of whom have earned a place on Jamaica’s track and field team to the iconic and greatest global multi-sport event.

Now, JOA’s “Young Olympic Changemakers” award is an Olympic-sized appetizer for those youth who thirst and hunger for and, indeed, achieve excellence.