The once bustling paralympic village of athletic newcomers, aspirants, contenders, defending champions, volunteers, workers, host and delegation officials has fallen somewhat asleep as only a few mingle with smiles, handshakes and embraces reminiscing on life lived for the last three weeks in Guadalajara which culminated in an emotional closing ceremony last night.

But for those who looked on with bleary and nostalgic eyes as the parapan american flame was extinguished, this was not the end for the spirit of the games lives on vibrantly and will be renewed in Toronto, Canada in 2015.

Guadalajara was all about clinical rivalry and competitive glory only surpassed by the humanity of old and new friendships as all celebrated from the heart the fiesta of the Americas. Continue Reading

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• In 2011 Para Pan American Games - Guadalajara, Mexico
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At approximately 14:20p.m in Mexico or 15:20p.m local time, a Jamaican, whose given name at birth was Shane Hudson, crossed the finishing line with silver in 49.43 at the Telmex Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico and in so doing he wrote another chapter in the history of the Jamaican paralympic movement and local sport.

The medal is the first by a Jamaican paralympian ‘on foot’ in international track competition. Shane was just beaten on the line by gold medalist Samuel Colnenares of Venezuela who clocked 49.39(PR). Yohknsson Nascimento of Brazil took the bronze in 49.71(PR). Continue Reading

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Guadalajara, as a cultural and economic centre, enjoys significance in the annals of Mexican history and continues to occupy pride of place in the lives of its people and many of the men and women of that central american country.

Equally important for Jamaicans now is this city for here, in the capital of the state of Jalisco, history was made by Shane Hudson who became the first athlete ‘on foot’ from yard, from the cool climes of Moneague in the garden parish of Saint Ann, to compete in a final of the track competition of the Parapan American Games and indeed in any international paralympic championship. However, let us not forget, that he, also, in October 2010 in Delhi, India, at the Commonwealth Games, sprinted into history by becoming Jamaica’s first athlete ‘on foot’ to participate in a track event at an international championship where he narrowly missed the start of that coveted 100m final. Continue Reading

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Tuesday November 15 was another day in the life of our team in Guadalajara and it had mixed emotions.

Kevon Reid, yet again gave a spirited performance and narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s Javelin F 54-56 despite producing a season’s best of 23.92 meters. He placed fourth as the gold went to Luis Felix of Mexico, the silver to Leonardo Diaz of Cuba and the bronze to Juan Varela of Mexico.

It was, however, Alphanso Cunningham who placed another medal safely in the cabinet in Guadalajara with a silver throw of 18.07 meters in the men’s javelin F52-53. The gold medal went to Mauro Maximo de Jesus with a winning throw of 20.84 meters.

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A ruthless display of expertise,composure, authority and professionalism accounted for Jamaica’s Alphanso Cunningham’s victory in the men’s F51-53 Discus at the 2011 at Monday’s staging of the Parapan American Games being held in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Alphanso, the Americas world record holder, threw 25.18 meters relegating Steven Scott (22.14) and Leon Carlos (21.46) both of the United States, to the minor positions.

“Mission accomplished” were the words of our golden athlete in response to his win while teammate, Tanto Campbell, no stranger as well to the medal podium at international championships, exclaimed “You are de Boss”. Chef de Mission, Christopher Samuda, was equally impressed with Alphanso’s dominant performance describing it as “an Emperor’s throw”. Continue Reading

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The now famous Telmex Stadium, home of recent and current athletic competition, was ablazed Saturday night with colours, scintillating light, streaming fireworks to the heavens and emotions as the 2011 Parapan American Games were officially opened by Senor Bernado de la Garcia, Director General of the National Council of Physical Culture and Sport in Mexico.

Over one thousand athletes from twenty-three countries of the Americas donned national colours in a parade before a very expressive audience singularly impressed with the Jamaican team which was attired in attractive linen Neru collared black, green and gold shirts ‘topped’ by tall hats, also in the national colours, which were the favourite subject of photographers professionals and amateurs alike. Continue Reading

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The majestic sound of the National Anthem reverberated in the International Zone of the Paralympic Village in Guadalajara at approximately 16:55p.m. Mexico time as the national flag was hoisted signaling the official endorsement of Jamaica’s participation in the 2011 Parapan American Games.

The Flag Raising Ceremony was hosted on Thursday by the National Paralympic Committee of Mexico and was not without pageantry and a cultural expose by the host country in dance. Continue Reading

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Our team to the 12th Parapan American Games, which is being hosted by the people of the city of Guadalajara, second only to the capital Mexico City as a local commercial and cultural mecca, commenced training on Wednesday at the warm-up track adjacent to the Telmex stadium under the watchful eyes of coaches Neville Sinclair and Jefferson Davis.

A “doctor’s visit” to the gymnasium early that morning by the team before training, was far from being a “check up” but simply prescriptive of the success that,it is hoped, will be achieved. Continue Reading

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The Jamaican team to the 2011 Parapan American Games landed at approximately 8:08p.m. Monday night at the Guadalajara International Airport, Mexico, full of confidence and ready to continue the glorious tradition of Jamaica in paralympic international competitions.

The weather was cold but that did not deter the warm handshakes that were exchanged with the Chef de Mission, Christopher Samuda, who was on spot to greet the traveling team of athletes and officials headed by Ajay Kapu, Physiotherapist.

After photo opportunities with some members of the arriving Brazilian and Cuban delegations, the team was whisked in an official bus to the village where members seamlessly concluded the accreditation process and thereafter retired for a good night’s rest.

Jamaica is being represented by six athletes: Tanto Campbell in the men’s discus F54-56; Alphanso Cunningham in the men’s discus F51-53 and javelin F52-53; Sylvia Grant in the women’s discus and javelin F57-58; Kevon Reid in the men’s shot put F54-56; Shane Hudson in the men’s 200m and 400m T46; and David Bascoe in the men’s 400m and 800m T46. Continue Reading

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