The build-up to the inaugural Racers Grand Prix was launched in spectacular fashion.
The track club left the blocks in a flash, acquiring well over $800,000, courtesy of a silent auction at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Sunday.
However, the final figure for the glitzy fund-raising ceremony was yet to be finalised.
The event, held in association with Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), was aimed at celebrating the performances of the club’s athletes, while sharing the club’s vision to be number one in the world.
Head coach Glen Mills, star athletes Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake, and other members of the club were among those present in a collaborated effort to encourage more financial support for the club.
Racers Track Club had tried unsuccessfully to acquire funds from the Government-run Sports Development Foundation (SDF), and instead had to revert to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) for financial backing.
Mills was inspired by the turnout at the event and outlined that the club required the continued support in order to make the vision and its inaugural Grand Prix, which is scheduled for June 11 at the National Stadium, a success.
“The whole objective of having the Grand Prix is for the club to raise significant funds so that we can continue the development of the organisation and to achieve more of the objectives that are still to come.
“And so as you know it takes quite a lot of money for the development of those and we have demonstrated over the years that every dollar you invest with us will bring you bars of gold. We will keep demonstrating that,” said the decorated coach.
The reception featured a display of sports memorabilia, Olympic and World Championships medals and photographs, in honour of the track club.
Among the items on sale on Sunday included running spikes, Puma T-shirt, and track suits autographed by Bolt, Blake, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Warren Weir and Michael Frater.
Earl Jarrett, general manager of JNBS, said their hosting of the reception is part of their continued focus to support young athletes and to honour their achievements.
“We celebrate the success of this group of professional managers and athletes, who have led this small country and have dominated the world via their excellent performance on track. Not only have they been excellent on track, but the reputations of the athletes have been held high over the years.
“So that is why we celebrate our Jamaican athletes. The truth is that two of the things that Jamaica is known around the world for are our sports performance in athletics and our music and tonight (Sunday) we address one,” Jarrett noted.
As expected, the most sought-after items on the night belonged to Bolt, the triple world record holder. His two pair of spikes went for $130,000 and $150,000, respectively, while last year’s IAAF World Championships baton went for $95,000.
A spike and body suit of World and Olympic 200-metre medallist Warren Weir went for $60,000 and $50,000 each, with Blake’s Adidas spike going for a minimum of $50,000.
Bailey-Cole’s framed photograph went for $50,000 and his spike for $55,000, similar to that of Frater.
The opportunity to participate in a three-week Racers Summer camp was auctioned for $111,000. The camp will run from July 4-22 for age group 7-19, and includes accommodation and meals.
“We hope to use this opportunity to begin a real conversation in Jamaica about how we can use sports and music to drive our economic progress. These are things that… as a country because sports and the music have been the standard bearers for Jamaica for many years and we want you to recognise some of those members,” said Jarrett.