Jamaicans under tight security in Birmingham

Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaica’s cadre of track and field stars have been kept under tight security at the University of Birmingham, as they continue their preparations for the Olympic Games.

With the July 27 to August 12 event, set for London drawing ever closer, access to the camp for media personnel and members of the general public is heavily restricted.

Team manager Ludlow Watts explained that the system was established to ensure that there was minimal distractions for the athletes and so that the real purpose of the training camp was realised during their time in England’s second largest city.

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“The coaching staff and the athletes are extremely focused on getting in the best shape for the Olympics and so they really do not want a lot of interaction because they want to focus on their purpose of being here and that’s to prepare for the Olympics in the best possible manner,” said Watts from Birmingham, earlier.

Members of the media, he further explained, will be facilitated for two hours on July 24th during a pre-arranged ‘Media Day.’

“Specifically, the media day is one day, which we organised to ensure that the media houses both Jamaican and otherwise will have access to the athletes between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. They will see the athletes in training and have access to them and there will be a question and answer opportunities,” Watts said.

The Jamaicans will leave the University of Birmingham on July 26 for London ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, which takes place the following day.

andre.lowe@gleanerjm.com