#Kingston, October 22, 2019 – Jamaica – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has hailed accomplished Jamaican Olympian, Veronica Campbell-Brown, as role model of excellence in sport and academics.

Delivering the keynote address at the unveiling of a statue in honour of Mrs. Campbell- Brown, popularly referred to as ‘VCB’, at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday (October 20), Mr. Holness said she demonstrated, by example, the correlation that can be forged between sport and academics. 

The Prime Minister said Mrs. Brown-Campbell’s accomplishments should serve as an inspiration to others, particularly young people, of the triumphs that can be achieved through hard work, dedication and perseverance, and that “even if you fall, you can pick yourself up and keep on running”.

In 1989, while attending Vere Technical High School, the then Veronica Campbell became the first Jamaican to cop a global 100-metre title, doing so at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Youth Championships.  The following year she became the first female to win Gold medals in both the 100 and 200 metres at the same global event, which she achieved at the IAAF World Junior Championships. Quadrennial

Mrs. Campbell Brown won her first of seven Olympic medals, at the Sydney Games in Australia in 2000 and, in the process, became the youngest Jamaican female to win a medal in the quadrennial sporting spectacle.

“These stories of outstanding achievements are the inspiration we need, as we play our part in advancing the prosperity of our people. Moments like these form part of the platform for us to engage with each other and commit to the transformation of our country,” Prime Minister Holness said.

Other speakers lauding Mrs. Campbell-Brown included: Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; Opposition Spokesperson on Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sport, Denise Daley; and officials from various sporting bodies, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), where the athlete serves as an Ambassador. 

In her response, Mrs. Campbell-Brown said she was “extremely grateful and humbled” by the extraordinary recognition and appreciation for her contribution to Jamaica’s rich history.  She said the unique manner in which the honour was done “is an absolute blessing and gesture that I greatly appreciate”.

The Veronica Campbell-Brown statue is the third of four commissioned in tribute to outstanding Jamaican athletes, as part of the Government’s Jamaica 55 Legacy Initiative.

The first two statues were unveiled for Usain Bolt, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, in 2017 and 2018, respectively, while the fourth, for Asafa Powell, is being finalised.

Contact: Garfield L. Angus

Release: JIS

Photo Captions:

Header: Prime Minister, the Most Hon Andrew Holness (2^nd right), shares the moment in the unveiling of a statue in honour of outstanding Olympian, Veronica Campbell-Brown (centre), at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday (October 20). Also sharing the moment (from left) are: Mrs. Campbell-Brown’s husband, Omar Brown; Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; the Brown’s daughter, Avianna Amora; and sculptor, Basil Watson, who created the statue.

Insert: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), in discussion with Veronica Campbell-Brown (centre), during a ceremony at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday (October 20) to unveil a statue in honour of the Olympian. At left is Mrs. Campbell-Brown’s husband, Omar Brown.

Donald De La Haye Photos