Jamaica fitness athlete Kristen McGregor leaves Jamaica on Monday (June 21) for the Puerto Rico Pro Qualifier in the Bahamas, the stepping stone to the world-renowned Ms Olympia competition later this year.

The two-day Bahamas tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 26, while the 2021 Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend will return to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from October 7 to October 10.

However, the trip would not have been possible without the support of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), which has assisted her with over J$250,000. She has also received sponsorship support from Proven Wealth Limited.

On Friday (June 18), Minister of Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange welcomed the reigning Ms Olympia Amateur to her office with a cheque for $250,000 towards the qualification tournament.

“I have this extra passion for women in sports and I heard about Kristen McGregor’s difficulties in getting enough funding to go to Nassau, Bahamas, for the qualifiers and I thought we could not allow her to be in a position where she can’t make it because she needs funding,” Minister Grange said.

“So through the Sports Development Foundation we have made a quarter-million dollars ($250,000) available to her to realize her dream and her objective,” she added.

“She is an outstanding athlete and a member of Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA) and our current champion and, of course, I can’t miss this out; she is the daughter of Lockett McGregor, the tennis coach and administrator. I know she wants to be her own person, but I couldn’t help but mention him,” Grange noted.

“It is my pleasure to make this presentation to her and I want to thank the SDF for being that agency that I can call on to provide funding. Just say to athletes out there during this period when there are so many challenges because of COVID, we will do whatever we can to help you achieve your objectives,” the minister remarked.

Meanwhile, McGregor, a former track and field athlete, who won the 2020 Miss Olympia Amateur title in the Women’s Figure category in Orlando last December, was happy for the government’s assistance.

“I am very appreciative of the help that I have acquired from the SDF as it will surely do some great help for this trip because most of my travels and accommodations since I have been doing this sport have been coming from pocket,” she began.

“It is very good that the SDF could step in this time and cover some of my expenses. Also, I would like to give thanks to Proven (Wealth) who also gave me some assistance in this trip,” McGregor continued.

“I will always do my best. Jamaica can always look forward to Kristen doing her best as I have always said that there are nine different judges on the panel and there are different personalities and sex appeal, so it is just with their discretion that I might be once again successful on the stage,”