The Jamaica Paralympic Association team arrives at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday. - Norman Grindley

Toni Greaves of the The Jamaica Paralympic Association strikes a pose after arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday.

Natalie Neita-Headley (right), minister with responsibility for sports, presents a gift basket to gold medallist Alphanso Cunningham, as the Jamaica's Paralympic team arrives at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday.

The country's 12-member contingent to the 14th Paralympic Games held in England was given a warm welcome in the Government of Jamaica's VIP Lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport, after returning to the island yesterday.

The group comprised six officials and six athletes, but only three of the athletes were able to compete at the games held between August 29 to September 9.

Alphanso Campbell won the team's lone medal; capturing gold in the men's F52/53 Javelin, with a national record and regional record throw of 21.84m. Team captain Tanto Campbell and Sylvia Grant made it to the finals of the men's Discus Throw - F54/55/56 and women's Javelin Throw - F57/58, respectively.

The other three athletes - Javon Campbell, Toni Greaves and Shane Hudson - were not able to compete, for various reasons.

prerequisite

Campbell was deemed too strong to be a paralympian, after winning the 200m and 100m at the United States Trials, where he participated as a prerequisite for classification, while Greaves and Hudson were not allowed to compete; as the country was only permitted to have three participants.

"It was really depressing; being at home watching the opening ceremony, closing ceremony and the games on television and knowing that I could have been there," Greaves said. "I had to find my own accommodation after the two weeks in training camp, as we weren't allowed to stay in the village.

She added: "We weren't allowed to go in the village without signing up a day before, so I didn't get to go in there much and I didn't get to go to the games really; I just went one afternoon at the medal ceremony."

Greaves, who was down to compete in F54 Javelin, left the island optimistic that she would be able to compete, but her hopes were dashed as the days went by.

really depressing

"It was undecided before we left here, but of course we were all hoping that it would be possible when we got there, but as the days went by we all realised that we would not be able to compete," Greaves said. "I was really looking forward to competing and while up there at one moment they got a message saying that I would be able to compete, and then like two days after another came that I am not going to be able to compete; it is really, really depressing."

Greaves played football during her school days and represented Jamaica in women's cricket, but became disabled four years ago after receiving multiple gunshots damaging her spinal cord.

"We are going to advocate for a change in that system, because as it presently exist it does not guarantee the best at the Paralympics," president of the Jamaica Paralympic Association, Christopher Samuda, said.

Minister with responsibility for sports, Natalie Neita-Headley, also pledged her commitment to working with Samuda in lobbing the International Paralympics Committee to change the rule limiting the number of places allotted to each country.

"I am going to work closely with your president to ensure that every single competent Paralympian gets an opportunity to participate as long as they qualify," Neita-Headley said.