Jamaican-born Athletes Who Have Competed For Other Countries
Many Jamaican-born athletes have chosen to compete for other nations. Linford Christie was born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica he immigrated to Britain at the age of seven and competed for them. He won three European Championship golds, three Commonwealth golds, one World gold and an Olympic Gold medal in the 100m.
Tessa Sanderson was born in Saint Catherine, Jamaica. She immigrated to Britain, for whom she won two Commonwealth golds and an Olympic Gold.
Sandra Levy was born in Kingston, Jamaica but represented Canada at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, as a field hockey player.
Former world record holder Donovan Bailey was born in Manchester, Jamaica but immigrated to Canada at the age of 13. He went on to win 3 World Championship golds and 2 Olympic Golds for Canada.
Sanya Richards was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She moved to America at twelve years old. Despite being the daughter of a Jamaican football player, Sanya chose to compete for the United States. In 2005 she won a silver medal at the World Championships and in 2008 won Olympic bronze. However in 2009 she finally fulfilled her potential by becoming world champion in the 400m.
Canadian Ben Johnson was born in Falmouth, Jamaica and immigrated to Canada at the age of 15. He has won two Olympic bronzes.
Angella Taylor was born in Jamaica but competed for Canada. She won two Commonwealth golds. It was later discovered that she was part of a doping regime with Ben Johnson.
Sprinter Charmaine Crooks competed at four consecutive Olympics for Canada, winning a silver medal in the 4x400m relay, but was actually born in Mandeville, Jamaica.
High jumper Germaine Mason originally competed for Jamaica as he was born in Kingston, but switched to Great Britain as his father was born there. He won an Olympic silver medal in 2008.
Read more about this topic: Athletics In Jamaica
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