10 athletes to miss Pan Am Games

By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Ten members of Jamaica's Pan American Junior Championships team were unable to leave the island yesterday for Brazil, because they are without United States visas.

In a Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) release sent yesterday afternoon, it stated: "Every effort was made to get the nine others who do not possess United States visas on flights that circumvent that country - to no avail."

Though the JAAA's release said nine, STAR Sports was informed that Oshane Berham, who left for the airport, was not allowed to board his flight because his visa will expire during his time away.

The other athletes who were unable to travel were Kerrion Stewart, Keno Heaven, Judith Riley, Shakeeri Cole, Andrew Riley, Nicholas Gordon, Jason Livermore, Triston Taylor and Teo Bennett.

The JAAA said it is now working to get these athletes on senior teams.

"Where eligible, these nine athletes will be incorporated in the Pan American Games and North Central American and Caribbean Championships squads, as some of the selectees to these squads have indicated that they will not be available for these competitions for various reasons," the release stated.

Meanwhile, the JAAA also reported that 23 members of the team to the Pan American Junior track and field championships in Sao Paolo, Brazil (July 6-8) have arrived at the destination, while three others are now en route and are scheduled to arrive today.