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Olympic Bronze Medalist Warren Weir is to play rugby for Jamaica. He will make his debut for Jamaica’s Rugby Sevens team at this 2018 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barranquilla, Colombia. Barranquilla 2018 will take place from July 19 to August 3 in Colombia’a fourth largest city.
Weir joins Jamaica’s rugby team following a busy 2018 track season which included competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
He plans to continue his track and field training but firstly the focus is now on rugby. He told The Gleaner that:
“First of all, it has always been my greatest honour to represent Jamaica in any form. When I was approached about joining the Rugby team because my pace would be an asset to the sport, I gladly took up the offer.”
“I have thus been training with the team and will be ready for the CAC Games on July 19 in Colombia. My inclusion at the CAC Games as a rugby player must also not be seen as any kind of decision on my association with track and field as I am still a sprinter. I have just found another way to contribute to this country’s great sporting legacy and I see no reason to limit myself.”
“My coach, agent, and all associations were notified about the possibility and my trials with Jamaica’s rugby outfit. Jamaica’s rugby has been growing leaps and bounds over the last few years and now, more than ever, needs the support of the country, both financially and in terms of moral support. I trust Jamaica will get behind us as a team.”
In addition to international competition in Colombia, Jamaica’s 7’s side will also compete at this month’s Rugby Sevens World Cup. Jamaica qualified for the World Cup by winning the 2017 Men’s Rugby Americas North Sevens Championship. The defeated Guyana 28-24 in the final.
Weir’s highly accomplished sporting career includes a Bronze Medal in the 200m at the 2012 Olympic Games, Gold in the 4x100m relay at the 2013 World Championship in Moscow and Silver and Bronze in the same discipline in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and 2018 Games at the Gold Coast.
