Belizean-American Olympian Brandon Jones took part in a meet-and-greet event in San Pedro Town on Tuesday, September 8th. The youth-centered event focused on determination, pursuing dreams, and the opportunities available to young athletes in the island’s sporting community.
Dubbed “Beyond the Horizon,” the event was held at the Mahogany Bay conference room at 7PM. The gathering drew young athletes, particularly those involved in track and field, along with their parents and guardians.
Island athlete and track-and-field coach Kian Trejo introduced Jones, who spoke briefly about his achievements in sprinting, the long jump, and the triple jump.
“I am very happy to be here and be able to speak to you all about this fabulous sport,” Jones said. “You are all winners here, and you can accomplish anything you want to with hard work and determination. Never give up. Whatever you have in mind is possible, and you can do it.”
The event also featured short videos of Jones competing for Belize at various international tournaments, including the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The young athletes then had the opportunity to ask questions, and they listened attentively as the veteran Olympian shared advice and experiences from his athletic career. One parent described the gathering as an inspiring and unforgettable experience for the island’s youth.
Jones closed the event by wishing the participants success in their future sporting endeavors and encouraging them to continue believing in themselves. He said he hopes to return to the island to motivate and share his experiences with more young athletes. Jones also signed autographs and took photographs with attendees.
Jones also received a token of appreciation from Councillor Adaly Ayuso at the end of the meet and greet special gathering.
Jones became involved in sports at an early age and excelled in track and field, particularly sprinting, the long jump, and the triple jump. He holds Hampton University’s indoor triple jump record and competed in the 60-meter indoor dash and the 200-meter outdoor event while attending the university.
In 2011, Jones qualified for his first USA Indoor Track and Field Championships after recording a triple jump of 15.62 meters. Although the competition did not go as he had hoped, he remained committed to improving his performance. The following year, the Belize Athletics Association invited him to represent Belize at the Senior Central American Championships in Nicaragua.
Since then, Jones has represented Belize internationally in sprinting, the triple jump and the long jump. He has won several medals at the Central American Championships in Athletics, including gold in the triple jump after clearing 16.22 meters.
Jones represented Belize in the men’s 200-meter race at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One of the proudest moments of his career was being selected as Belize’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony’s Parade of Nations.
Organizers thanked the sponsors who made the event possible, including Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton, RE/MAX Belize, Kiki Athletics, and the San Pedro Town Council.