Powerful Olympic message for CARICOM

It is a pity that the 2024 CARICOM Summit was held on the eve of the Paris Olympics, for out of that global spectacle several messages of relevance to our region emerged forcefully. Whether those messages would have been heeded by the political leadership of the Region is another matter, but at least they would have been there and could have had far more relevance than the customary “achieving the CARICOM Single Market and Economy”, goal, still a seemingly elusive one.

That message of the imperative of speeding up the regional integration process may in fact have been unintentionally reinforced by the disappointment of the traditional regional athletic powerhouses in their medal returns. The continuing success of the “small island” athletes must be used as a fillip to greater regional cooperation and integration, extending to the sporting realm. It was so sad to note that one of the major sponsors of the live coverage of the Olympics, (to whom we are all so grateful), should choose a slogan like “one Jamaica” rather than emphasizing “one Jamaica, One Caribbean”. Wouldn’t that have been more appropriate?

Indeed, the Region can only benefit by studying the progress of the eastern Caribbean islands. Of course, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has its own problems, but the commonality of the challenges before them seems to have helped to inject a greater sense of urgency in the small islands which can only do the Region a whole lot of good if applied on a wider scale.

We are living in an increasingly dangerous international environment. It is one in which we have to struggle for the powers-that-be to listen and respond to the development imperatives before us such as climate financing, special concessions for developing countries, and the need to end crippling financial and trade regulations, including unilateral sanctions. At the Olympics, the deleterious effect of such policies on the social life of millions, was demonstrated in the field of sport. So much potential was again exhibited, but the means to realize that potential continues to be stymied. Take Cuba for instance, a powerhouse in the

Olympics not so long ago. It was painful to see so many top Cuban athletes now competing for other countries. It is a sad situation resulting from crushing US economic pressure which makes even survival in that country a serious challenge.

Has it crossed our minds, based on experience, the predicament in which we can be placed, if for instance, a Trump administration were to re-emerge after the US Presidential elections? Not that a Democratic administration would necessarily be far more helpful or accommodating.

It means that for us in the Caribbean, there is no time for endless pettifogging on minor issues. Meaningful regional integration is a pressing imperative. Since our politics and petty nationalism continue to be drawbacks, why not use sport as an incentive? If we look at the Olympics for instance, just think what a regional approach could provide in dividends. Instead of each tiny island struggling to find resources for development, how can the experience of the regional powerhouses in areas such as coaching, training and related areas help the Region as a whole? And how can our more open arms approach to integration help us all? We can no longer ignore the twin messages of sport as an essential ingredient and engine of social and economic development, and within it, the role of youth. Let those messages be heard and imbued to spur our integration process.