“What Jamaica Applauds And What It Refuses to See in Its Greatest Athletes”

By Dr. Gregory Haughton

The Winning Edge Digest – Insights on leadership, mindset, and performance to help you stay ahead

Track and field have long been a gateway to opportunity for Jamaican athletes, opening doors to higher education, international scholarships, and professional careers. These pathways have empowered many to support themselves, their families, and their communities. I am one of the fortunate few who earned a scholarship through athletics. This foundation supported not only my athletic ambitions but also a meaningful life and career beyond the track.

However, my journey and the experiences of others reveal a stark reality: the transition from celebrated student-athlete to respected professional is rarely seamless. While Jamaican athletes are globally lauded for their speed and resilience, many struggle to integrate into the elite echelons of athletics, whether in coaching, administration, or other professional roles.

This is not a uniquely Jamaican problem. Globally, athletic systems often prioritize immediate performance over the long-term transition of their athletes. In the United States, the NCAA produces thousands of elite athletes annually, yet only a fraction successfully transition into professional sports or leadership roles. Research from the NCAA highlights that many athletes struggle to translate their on-field success into post-sport careers without dedicated mentorship and career planning.

Similarly, UK Athletics has faced criticism for a lack of diversity and inclusivity in its leadership pipeline, despite consistently producing Olympic medalists. Former athletes have voiced frustration at being overlooked for administrative positions, which individuals often fill without direct experience as competitors.

For Jamaica, this challenge is particularly acute. Track and field is the nation’s most visible global brand, yet the system often underinvests in creating leadership pathways for athletes after their competitive years. Cultural biases, a lack of mentorship, and a reliance on established elites can hinder new leaders' ability to gain trust and secure decision-making power. The admiration athletes receive on the track does not always translate into confidence in their ability to lead off it.

This is not to say that current administrators are unwilling to recognize talent. Jamaican track and field leadership has built a system that consistently produces world-class athletes. The challenge, however, lies in striking a balance between short-term performance and long-term leadership development. Without intentional reform, the cycle will persist: athletes will excel on the world stage, but too few will be prepared or permitted to lead at home.

To the athletes reading this, let this be a call to action, not a discouragement. Your athletic gifts can open doors, but a post-athletic career demands more than medals. Seek mentorship early, invest in your education, and build networks beyond the track. Learn from the experiences of athletes abroad: in the U.S., those who thrive after sports often leverage their academic degrees and alumni networks. In the U.K., retired athletes who successfully transitioned into media or policy did so by combining their credibility in sports with formal training and advocacy skills.

To the administrators, the message is equally clear: Jamaica’s continued dominance in track and field depends not only on the next generation of athletes but also on cultivating the next generation of leaders. This means giving athletes a seat at the table, valuing their lived experience, and showing the same confidence in their potential to lead as you do in their potential to run.

Ultimately, the question is not whether Jamaican athletes are capable; their performance on the track has already answered that. The real test is whether we will create systems that extend that same confidence to leadership, governance, and life after competition. Jamaica has an opportunity to learn from global patterns and forge a new path, one that ensures our athletes are remembered not only for the medals they win but also for the wisdom, discipline, and vision they bring to the future of the sport.