What happen to TB people they can't run mostly foreigners in the race here,I only saw 1 Jamaican?

How many local people can afford the equipment? The bikes? The fees? It's not about running a triathlon. It's about running the race to live, to earn enough money to feed, clothe and educate a family. So foreigners spare a thought!

The TB triathlon is looking forward to its 19th year in 2014. There are folks from all over who participate in this event. And if you do your research and look back over the years the majority of the winners have been Jamaican and several have even been from Treasure Beach.

I just came from attending the Reggae Marathon held in Negril on Saturday. This marathon is rated as one of the top 10 marathons in the world. From last year to this year 400 more persons joined making the total participants 1,800 persons representing 85 countries. Folks from all over the world, every color, race, religion, political belief, afflictions, etc. all running side by side and supporting each other. What a wonderful event!

Sure it costs money to enter the race. Any event costs a considerable amount of money to organize and hold. Sure there were some who may have wanted to enter but could not afford it. But I also did see some folks running without numbers and just as proud to be running and finishing as those with numbers. I also saw hotels booked out, restaurants full, taxis running, vendors and stores selling, etc. I saw a positive impact for Negril, Jamaica, and the world. And out of all the spectators, participants, etc. I didn't see one person standing on the side of the road counting to see how many Jamaicans vs. foreigners were running.

Let's stop this negativity and turn it to "positivity". Let's help to promote an event that is good for the area. I don't know many triathletes in Treasure Beach but I sure do know plenty of folks employed in the tourism industry and who would benefit from this event taking place in Treasure Beach.

Or you could help to support someone who is interested in participating in the race. I am sure David Bromfield, nine time winner of the triathlon and Treasure Beach son would welcome sponsorship. I would be happy to put you in contact with him and you can discuss sponsorship.

Well said Rebecca !!!!!!!!
And do not forget the positive economic impact it has on the community !!
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Rebecca, I would kindly like to agree and disagree.
"Good for the area" is subjective. The entire Jamaican system is rigged against the poor, so let's not be naive to this fact. There needs to be more infrastructure that protects/sustains NATIVES and THEIR LAND regardless of income levels rather than perpetuating the dollar game (yes I am extending this argument past the topic of a Triathlon and to the issue of Tourism/Real-Estate/Environmental Sustainability/Preservation and general buying up of land by people with more dollars). I would also like to point out a strong bias in your statements, considering you are a foreign national with fundamental advantages and freedoms that many Jamaicans do not have.
As for dealing with the situation today and the cards that were dealt I agree that we can turn this into a positive. My solution? Any "disadvantaged" nation should charge a fee to foreign nationals (this could be included in cost) that goes directly to Jamaicans who need financial assistance to participate; most competitors would be thrilled to support this. I'd also like to see a tax charged on every purchase by a foreigner, island-wide, until the IMF loan is paid back. Let's level the playing field at the grassroots level. It's about time.

Foreign nationals already pay a fee to enter Jamaica, and on top that, they (tourism) are the leading revenue source for the Jamaican economy.
The basic problem in Jamaica is a corrupt political system, where a small number of the "privilege" gets and retain most of the wealth for themselves.
I see nothing wrong with asking foreigners to "donate" their money for a good cause, but to demand it is not right.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

[Edited by TB.Net] Everything is already taxed, and most of the taxes is in the name of the 'poor', and how have they benefitted? If you are not able to participate, just be an onlooker or see what you can do to earn something from the event, instead of waiting for a handout.
You think the foreigner squandered our taxes? If you want to "level the playing field at the grassroots level", I suggest you get a mower!

I read and reread the posting by Opinion and could not figure out why foreign nationals are to be responsible for levelling our playing field by being taxed like that, apparently while on a vacation. We need to fix our own political and other related systems to reduce/eliminate fraud and waste, thereby improving the lives of all our own citizens. Forcibly taking other people's money to subsidize our wants is not a solution.

I would also point out that Rebecca is a Jamaican citizen. And she got it the hard way...she earned it through ahrd work and perseverance rather than simply being born there.

-Eric

"Opinion" says "My solution? Any "disadvantaged" nation should charge a fee to foreign nationals (this could be included in cost) that goes directly to Jamaicans who need financial assistance to participate; most competitors would be thrilled to support this. I'd also like to see a tax charged on every purchase by a foreigner, island-wide, until the IMF loan is paid back. Let's level the playing field at the grassroots level. It's about time."

My response:
* Every land purchase is already taxed.
* Foreigners (such as us) employ numerous Jamaicans who might otherwise not have steady employment. We pay salaries (above minimum wage) year-round and do not lay any staff off when business is slow or renovations are being done. In addition, we pay all our employees' taxes in addition to their salaries. Plus, our employees all get tips; we do not withhold any portion of their tips.
* We pay outrageous duties every time we bring anything into Jamaica, even things that are not available locally.
* We pay property and other taxes.
* We are not responsible to Jamaica's IMF debt.

In addition, we have contributed heavily to the local community--and encouraged others (mainly foreigners) to do so for many years.

Thank you VERY much Eric for your post. I wouldn't have said better about Rebecca. I totaly share her point of view which I found much more realistic than the post of the "solution" of "Opinion".
Forget the idea "until the IMF loan is paid back" ... Europe will never pay back his own loan to IMF !! How Jamaica could do it ? So I prefer to pray and work hard from France to be in Treasure Beach for my next spring holidays and give my help if needed to this big events Triathlon or directly to the Community.
I'm one of those who love to follow from far distance this great moment and it's a real pleasure to look at the pictures made from Rebecca and others ! and I take the opportuny of this post to congratulate the very good job of everybody who works on this wonderful website. Nuff respect from Paris. The Eiffel Tower will shine for you all tonight !!

@ Karen Kennedy : I love your post.

Rebecca, I can't remember when I last thought of you as a "foreign national."

You are more Jamaican than so many who have that identity by birth.

In fact there are many Jamaicans now living in the USA who, I suspect, are more American than you and less Jamaican than you.

And certainly, you are entitled to your opinions... and not just because you run the website! :-)

We're closing this thread as its going off topic and this site is not the place for free-wheeling discussions about such important topics as race and poverty. There are many other sites on the Internet that specialize in this type of discussion. We ask that you please take this discussion to one of them.

Thank you for your understanding,
-TBNet