JOA President Samuda refuted Thomas-Dodd’s claims and said he had the support of millions of athletes

Paris, France – Following Daniel Thomas-Dodd’s disappointing withdrawal from the women’s shot put at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 31-year-old has launched a strong accusation against the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and the Jamaica Athletics Administration (JAAA), accusing the organisations of neglecting field events and providing inadequate support to throwers.

Thomas-Dodd, who finished 13th overall with a season-best of 18.12m and failed to advance to the finals, was candid about her frustration in her post-race statement.

“Obviously, I’m very disappointed. This is beyond my capabilities. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do it that day. This is my second time competing in the Olympics and finishing 13th; it’s also the second time I’ve asked a coach to come with me to the Olympics and been told no,” said Thomas-Dodd, highlighting a recurring problem she believes has hampered her Olympic performance.

Thomas-Dodd, who has enjoyed huge success on the world stage, including silver medals at the World Indoor and Outdoor Championships and gold at the Commonwealth Games, has been unabashedly critical of both organisations for what she sees as a lack of respect and support for Jamaican field events.

“For everything I’ve done so far for the country of Jamaica and for Jamaican throws, you would think that I would at least get the respect that I deserve. Give me what all my competitors have,” she said. “It’s difficult to compete when you psychologically wish things were different. It’s really frustrating to be dealing with an organization that doesn’t respect Jamaican field events.”

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Thomas Dodd’s Frustration

Thomas-Dodd’s frustration is further heightened by an irony: Jamaica’s only gold medal so far in these Games has come from a thrower — an achievement she believes highlights the need for more investment in and respect for field athletes.

“It’s so frustrating and heartbreaking to see everyone getting so comfortable. Most of our medals so far have come from field events and we are the most looked down upon sport in Jamaican athletics. They always forget that it’s not just athletics, it’s called track and field,” she lamented.

In response, USOC President Christopher Samuda issued a scathing statement in response to Thomas-Dodd’s allegations, calling them “extremely regrettable and deeply misleading.” Samuda noted that Thomas-Dodd personally benefited from millions of dollars in financial support from the USOC through the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship, which was intended to cover training, travel and other expenses.

“It is unfortunate and misleading that Ms Dodd claims that the Jamaica Olympic Association provides no assistance to field events and throwers, and she also fails to disclose that she has personally benefited from millions of dollars in Olympic Solidarity Scholarships from the Jamaica Olympic Association,” Samuda said.

“I am allowing Ms. Dodd the opportunity to set the record straight and disclose to the public how much money she received over four years to prove that these facts not only speak for themselves, but that they are the truth.”

Significant Contribution

Samuda further stressed that the Jamaican Olympic Committee has made significant contributions to the development of Jamaica’s field events, for example, the association allocated funds to repair the lights at the Usain Bolt track at the University of the West Indies, a repair that was carried out at the request of discus thrower Federico Dacres.

Samuda added: “Ms Dodd was also fully aware that her colleagues – Audane Richards, Federico Dacres, Chaichang and others – had benefited financially from the Jamaica Olympic Association, which Ms Dodd insisted had done nothing to help the throwers.”

“When the JOA responded to Fedrick Dacres’ call and spent money to repair the lights at Usain’s track so that training could be carried out after daybreak when third-party funding was not available. Wasn’t that helping the throwers? And the field events?”

Samuda also responded to Thomas-Dodd’s concerns about the absence of coaches, explaining that the Japan Badminton Association does not select coaches but simply authorises individuals based on a list provided by member federations and endorsed by international governing bodies.

“It is so unfortunate, but Ms. Dodd had to stay true to herself and her country,” Samuda concluded. “The Japanese Olympic Committee will not stop supporting our athletes, and we congratulate the first-time Olympic athletes who seized their chance and won medals for our dear country.”

Thomas-Dodd’s comments and Samuda’s response highlight the growing tensions between athletes and government, raising questions about how resources are allocated and whether more can be done to support Jamaican field athletes. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed in the future to ensure all Jamaican athletes receive the support they need to excel on the world stage.