Sports in Jamaica

Sports in Jamaica

Usain Bolt By Chris Weis

Track and Field in Jamaica

Jamaica feels honored to have the most success per capita of any country of the world in Track and Field.

Jamaicans first gold medalist is Dr. Authur Wint winning the 400m in the 1948 Olympics.

In Jamaica, track and field is a big part of their curriculum in schools with growing children.

To the right is a famous Jamaican track athlete, Asafa Powell

Bobsled in Jamaica Bobsledding began in the late

19th century when the Swiss attached a steering mechanism to a toboggan

Two Americans actually founded Jamaican bobsledding. George B. Fitch and William Maloney

Jamaican bobsled debuted at the 1988 Winter Olympics which was the inspiration for the movie “Cool Running's.”

The 2000 Jamaican bobsled team won gold in 2000 in the world push bobsled championships.

Football in Jamaica (American Soccer)

Football in Jamaica was introduced toward the end of the 19th century with 1893 being the first Jamaican football club

Jamaica’s first international appearance was vs. Haiti in 1925 where Jamaica won all three games. This was the start to their quest

Jamaica has had many World Cup appearances dating back to 1966 but never winning a World Cup Title

Cricket in Jamaica Cricket plays a strong and

pivotal role in Jamaican’s excellence.

Jamaica and the West Indies cricket fraternity are very proud of their success in hosting the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup which entailed 49 days of cricket performance.

Jamaica is the best cricketing nation in the Caribbean with many championships to show.

Cricket is also associated with positive values including teamwork and individual discipline

Netball in Jamaica Netball is a sport played

in Jamaica mostly by women that evolved from the game of basketball. You pass around a soccer ball and ultimately try and make the ball in basically a basketball hoop with no back board.

They started playing Netball in Schools in 1909.

The first Jamaican Netball team was in 1959.

Push Carts in Jamaica Push carts began as a grass

root sport and have become very popular and can be seen all across the island.

They are used as racing carts where they have Push cart derby’s held all across the island.

Carts are homemade and some get clocked at speeds of 60mph.

These push carts created inspiration for the Bobsled team that Jamaica now has.

Stars of Jamaican Athletes

Facts of Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell

USAIN BOLT

Known as the fastest man on the planet. Sometimes called Lightening Bolt.

Three time Gold Medalist as well as world record holder in the 100meters, 200 meters, and 4 x 100 meter relay.

Can’t catch this guy

ASAFA POWELL

Asafa Powell also runs in the 100meter race and this is what he specializes in.

Used to hold the record for the 100meter race from 2005 to 2008.

Held record for the fastest 100 meters ran to place third.

Works cited Association, J. C. (2009). Jamaican Cricket Association. Retrieved Feb 28th,

2011, from Jamaican Cricket Association: http://www.cricketjamaica.org/overview.php

Boyz, T. R. (2009). The Reggae Boyz. Retrieved Feb 26th, 2011, from The Reggae Boyz: http://www.thereggaeboyz.com/history.htm

Inc., T. (2011). Asafa Powell. Retrieved March 1st, 2011, from 100 Olympic Athletes to Watch: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1819129_1819134_1825727,00.html

Jamaica. (2011). Retrieved Feb. 27, 2011, from Jamaica: http://www.jamaicans.com/

Service, J. I. (2011). The Origins of Netball. Retrieved March 1st, 2011, from The Origins of Netball: http://jamaicanetball.org.jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=74

Services, G. W. (2008). Jamaican Bobsled history. Retrieved Feb. 26th, 2011, from Jamaican Bobsled history: http://www.bolt4bobsled.com/art-of-bobsled/jamacian-bobsled-history

Usain Bolt. (2011). Retrieved March 1st, 2011, from Usain Bolt: http://www.usainbolt.com/