KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Jamaican athletes will share about $J30M for their exploits in the London Olympics in August, the government here has announced.
The figure is about half of the $J60M being spent to reward and celebrate the athletes in a grand homecoming scheduled for the Heroes Day weekend.

Activities next weekend will include a church service, a cocktail reception to be hosted by Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, followed by the main public event at the National Arena.
“Where there is excellence, we must appreciate it in an excellent way,” said Minister with responsibility for sport, Natalie Neita-Headley. “This celebration is for individuals who have represented their country and communities in an excellent way and will be an appreciation of them.”.
Individual gold medal winners will receive a cash gift of $1 million, silver medal winners $750 000 and bronze medallist $500 000, with $350 000 being given to an athlete making the final, while each participant will take home $250 000.
Relay gold medal winners will receive $3M, silver $2.4M, and the bronze medal-winning team will collect $1.8M.
The rest of the money will cover other expenditures ranging from the Prime Minister’s reception, airfare and accommodation to the main event at the national arena.
The ‘massive’ public event planned for Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 15, has been described as a celebration of Jamaica’s diverse culture and a highlight of the day will be a wreath-laying and unveiling of a headstone for Herbert McKenley the world’s fastest 400-metre runner about half a century ago.
McKenley later became the driving force in Jamaica’s climb to track and field glory.
Large television screens will be set up at central locations and in communities so that persons unable to find a place in the 6 000-capacity national arena could view the activities.
Fifty athletes in four sporting disciplines –  track and field, swimming, taekwondo and equestrian – represented Jamaica at the London Olympics and returned with a record 12 medals – four gold, four silver and four bronze.