Despite the hefty price tag that’s sparked quiet conversations across the poolside, Jamaica’s team manager, Kristina Chuck-Smith, is more focused on the bigger picture, which is for swimmers to represent the nation proudly and competitively at next month’s Goodwill Swimming Championships in Barbados.

With the cost per swimmer nearing $500,000, largely covered by parents, Chuck-Smith admits the financial burden is no small feat. Still, she shrugs it off with a mix of realism and passion, as she pointed out that Jamaica’s young swimmers are ready, committed, and proud to wear the black, green, and gold.

"Yes, we have a little over $400,000 for most people to be funding per child, but that includes accommodation, airfare, food, transportation, and gear. Anyone who is travelling in the Caribbean knows that the airfare is significantly high, and that's not something we can control. Also, the accommodation, transportation, and meals were not controlled by us. We were given the amount by the local organising committee and so we have to go by what they tell us,” Chuck-Smith told SportsMax.TV.

"But I'm very happy to see this team that is going down. It's going to be a strong team, and we're going to have some great performances. They are ready, we are ready, and we're going to fly Jamaica's flag very high, very proudly,” she added.

Chuck-Smith

The 39-member team, which ranges in age from seven to 17, features national and meet record holders alongside promising newcomers who have made waves at recent local meets. It is a rich mix of seasoned youth talent, spread across five age categories and multiple swimming disciplines.

Still, with the entire trip parent-funded, some eyebrows have been raised about the five-member management team, comprised of Chuck herself, three coaches, a physiotherapist, and a doctor. But she stands by the structure, especially given the size and needs of the team.

"One may ask why we're sending such a big team that's being funded by the parents, but I will say that you could look at it another way. Why aren't we sending more with a 39-member team that is made up of five age groups and multiple disciplines? So three coaches for 39 swimmers isn’t a lot at all if you look at some of the other national teams who take as many as 15 members of their management team,” she noted.

While most of the cost has been borne by families, Chuck-Smith confirmed that efforts are being made to reduce the load.

"The ASAJ [Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica] has given us some help already. They raised some funds at the award ceremony, and they also have two initiatives that they're having on July 12…a movie night and a karaoke night. We expect a lot of support there that will help to lower the cost parents have, so we are going in with some funding from the ASAJ,” Chuck-Smith explained.

"I have also reached out to sponsors, both government and corporate sponsors, asking them to help the national colours fly high. We have already received some pledges. So we do know that we are going to reduce the burden on the parents,” she shared.

That said, Chuck-Smith revealed that no swimmer has dropped out due to finances so far, a feat she credits to the strong community spirit among local swim families and to pre-selection transparency about the costs involved.

"Parents in our fraternity understand that this is where we are right now. We are not expecting to stay like this, but this is where we are right now, so they were ready for the financial commitment. And luckily, with all these initiatives that we have, I think going forward we won't have such a significant burden on parents, and we don't expect it to hinder anyone else,” the manager reasoned.

However, the question lingers—could the current cost structure limit the pipeline of talent, especially for swimmers from lower-income backgrounds?

Chuck-Smith said things are in place to alleviate concerns.

“There are very many avenues for people of various income levels to still be able to participate. We do have ways of subsidizing this, so I'm happy. I'm really excited going into this competition. I know it is a very good team; the kids have been in training and are putting their all into it,” she ended.