THE KORNER

Usain Bolt Warns Olympians Fi Protect Dem Brands From ‘Bandwagonist’ Corporate Entities

FAIM Hub | August 10, 2021

Clockwork producer Usain Bolt has concerns about corporate entities exploiting di image rights of athletes who competed a di Olympic Games. Bolt sparked a firestorm Monday weh gone afta posting pon him social media pages dat Jamaica’s Olympians nuffi allow dem images and brands fi be exploited by ‘bandwagonist’ corporate entities who neva assist dem Tokyo Olympic quest.

“A lot Athletes sought support from corporate Jamaica in their preparation leading up and heading to Olympic Games and got NO HELP. Athletes know your Worth/Power now that they all want to jump onto your Brand/Image for free.🙏🏿,” Bolt seh.

Usain Bolt

Inna August 2015 di JAAA dem did expressed similar, grave concerns, afta several congratulatory advertisements bearing images of Jamaica’s athletes competing at di World Championships, were placed inna bote di electronic and print media by companies weh nuh have nuh contractual arrangements wid di athletes, or dem managers, fi duh suh.

Di JAAA had said in a release dat it was concerned about di seeming attempt by certain corporate companies to exploit di athletes’ image and dat di “continued practice fi associate dem products wid di athletes and or Jamaican track and field”, is prohibited and as a consequence, di appropriate remedy will be pursued against dem who are found to be in breach”.

Di JAAA did appealed to di errant companies involved fi respect di rights of di athletes, warning dat failure to do so wudda lead to preventative action.

BOLT (Photo courtesy @usainbolt/IG)

Howeva, despite di JAAA’s warning, di trend has continued – though not as pervasive as in 2015 – wid some large corporate companies, including bottled water companies and hotel chain proxies, among other tings, posting series of images of di medaling athletes in di form of congratulatory messages on dem social media pages.

Back in 2015, di JAAA had also said dat it was appealing to di infringing companies to respect di athletes’ image rights by “appropriately engaging dem in contract radda dan seeking fi exploit dem images”.

1,2,3: Elaine Thompson-Herah, center with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, of Jamaica, 2nd place, and Shericka Jackson, 3rd.

Suh pon Monday, Usain Bolt’s statement dem did get nuff nuff support by a whole heap a him dancehall and sporting compatriots and as well as him general fans, from Jamaica and across di world pon Instagram.

Cham, Miss Kitty, Tami Chin, Ding Dong are among some a dem who gi Bolt di tumbs-up fi him comments, as did Vybz Kartel, Foota Hype and oddas.

“Real General talk @usainbolt,” Vybz Kartel noted, while him former Alliance stablemate Foota Hype wrote: “Same so bredda.”

Chuck Fenda added: “@usainbolt real talk #ETERNALFIRE🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”

Dub poet Ras Takura was among those who joined the fray.

“Great great advice king..i see @adamstewart capitalizing i Wonder Wich Athletes they sponsor,” him write.

Pon Bolt’s Twitter page, di so-called “intellectual minority” dem did come out inna dem numbers. Among dem was Radio Listener who expressed full agreement.

“Truth must be spoken. Think a now Hansle Parchment a run. I don’t watch sport and I know his name long time. Most of these do not aid in your growth but when you reach the top everybody see you. Some a dem fi gweh!!!!,” him seh.

Oddas seh dem particularly took exception to one particular hotel chain weh publicly offering vacations to di athletes.

“Sandals is feting every athlete . I’m wondering if they were there during their prep when they needed it most. They’re doing it when it benefits them and not the athlete,” Cudjoe said.

“Yeah I agree… lock een a 4 year sponsorship deal before taking any vacations,” Chrisdfoodie wrote, while starstatusp added: “This is what I’m saying about the free vacations at sandals! Take the free trip but they can’t use your image for free.”.

“This is what I said as soon as I seen these resorts offering stays. Fuck that. Got donate some houses, infrastructure, business grants. Do something substantial for those that ain’t on top,” whenlionsspeak added.

Some contended dat many of Jamaica’s Olympians haffi struggled and seh dey were happy dat di concerns were now being raised by di track legend, cause him words carry more weight.

“Here it is…Asafa said it and people cuss him out clean clean. See here..Usain is saying it…👏👏👏,” suzettedennisaustin seh.

“I listened Megan Tapper and her husband spoke about how many companies they wrote to and not one. They ended up selling pudding!!! Well look at her now!!!” rickie.toban fi him share.

As di debate raged pon Bolt’s Instagram page, dere were a barrage of commendations fi di Trelawny native, as people declared dat, like di track icon, dey were fed up of dem who come in a di back end afta di athletes have achieved international glory.

Some track and field fans declared dat instead of offering vacations to di athletes, hotel chains shud eida offer dem sponsorship deals or sign dem as brand ambassadors, as well as sign some of di lesser-known athletes providing monthly cheques fi help in dem development fi di next few years.

“This is where they need to be careful…and they athletes should not be forced to blog or post pictures….caz a dat dem want….they are deserving of the vacation but they should never feel obligated to promote the resort,” @starstatusp said.

“Say it loud @usainbolt Matter of fact, these athletes should (trough their lawyers) stop those congratulatory posts using their image). Let those companies pay them to use their image on social media or the print media,” kmarcandre said, echoing di JAAA sentiments.

“These local companies are too exploitive and unsupportive. The audacity of them as well to want to ONLY associate with the athletes who won medals. Where are the lawyers of these athletes? Who will volunteer to help them protect their image, rights and income?” him added.