Golding-Clarke’s addition to coaching staff no conflict of interest – Gayle

Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Garth Gayle says that he does not see the addition of Lacena Golding Clarke to the coaching team for the World Athletics Championships as being a conflict of interest even as her charge, world 100m champion and record holder Tobi Amusan, is awaiting a decision on whether she is eligible to compete at this year’s championships in two weeks’ time.

Golding-Clarke was named to the 10-person coaching staff for the championships in Budapest, Hungary, which will be spearheaded by Technical Leader Maurice Wilson.

Golding-Clarke currently coaches Amusan, who broke the world record and won the title at last year’s World Championships. However, Amusan has been charged with a rule violation by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing three drug tests in 12 months, charges she is appealing before the championships begin on August 19.

When asked about the possibilities of conflict of interest, Gayle dismissed such notions.

“We don’t think so. That it a situation for Nigeria and Amusa to work out. We in Jamaica are happy for a Jamaican to be named as (she is) one of the top coaches preparing a world record breaker. We want our athletes to continue to break records, and so we believe a talented, decorated former athlete must be provided with that opportunity to perform and to carry out her coaching role,” Gayle said.

Gayle said that with Jamaican coaches serving the needs of athletes of other countries, he does not see Golding-Clarke’s addition as anything that is out of the ordinary

“Our Jamaican coaches have been coaching a plethora of athletes from different countries, and they even train here. And it has never been a problem,” Gayle said. “She has the competencies not only to manage her pet event, but she is also available. She has earned the respect of her colleagues within that system. As a senior coach, we believe Jamaica will be well served by her involvement within the team.”

He says that it also shows that Jamaica is an attractive national team option for coaching.

“We believe we also have other coaches that equally have prepared and are continuing to prepare other foreign athletes, and we don’t see it as a conflict. We are happy for it. It then makes Jamaica the choice for coaches around the world. And so for the JAAA’s we are very happy about that,” Gayle said.

A camp, scheduled to start on August 15, will be staged in Hungary before the team moves into the athletes’ village.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com

Jamaica World Championships Management Team

Team Leader: Judith Ewart

Assistant Team Leader: Dave Myrie

Assistant Team Leader:: Steve McGregor

Technical Leader: Maurice Wilson

Doctor: Dr Warren Blake

Physiotherapist: Noel Brown

Massage Therapist: Jeffery King

Massage Therapist: Keneil Brown

Massage Therapist: Troy Evans

Massage Therapist: Jowayne Evans

Massage Therapist: Evans Allen

Coach: Paul Francis

Coach: Bertland Cameron

Coach: Lennox Graham

Coach: Julian Robinson

Coach: Reynaldo Walcott

Coach: Lamar Richards

Coach: Mark Elliot

Coach: Lascena Golding-Clarke

Coach: Glen Mills

Coach: Okielle Stewart

Media Liaison: Dennis Gordon