Juliet Cuthbert Flynn 
An Olympic Medalist and Political Leader

Juliet Cuthbert Flynn | image source: jamaica gleaner

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Known for our vibrant culture and reggae music, we have a rich history of remarkable individuals who have contributed to our growth and development. Among them is the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, a prominent figure in Jamaican politics, who has been making waves and empowering women throughout her career. Her unwavering dedication to public service and her advocacy for gender equality have earned her the respect and admiration of many. But before her political career, she helped to put us on the map with her sprinting capabilities.

She attended the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, after graduating from Philadelphia's Olney High School and Morant Bay High School. She received the 1986 Broderick Award as the top female collegiate track and field athlete in the country as a student at Texas (now known as the Honda Sports Award).

At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, Cuthbert represented us in the 100-meter sprint and the 200-meter sprint, winning silver in both events. Cuthbert finished strong on her second leg of the 4 x 100-meter sprint relay final, however, she was forced to withdraw from the race after straining a leg muscle. She and the other members of the Jamaican relay squad had a sad end to the Summer Olympic Games. Cuthbert was chosen as the 1992 "Sportswoman of the Year" in Jamaica. In 1992, she received the Order of Distinction in recognition of her contributions to athletics.

Cuthbert, Michelle Freeman, Nikole Mitchell, and Merlene Ottey all contributed to the Jamaican 4 x 100-meter sprint relay team's third-place finish and a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Cuthbert also won two silver medals (1995, 1997) and a gold medal (1991) with the Jamaican sprint relay team at the World Championships in track and field.

Juliet retired from sprinting in 1999. She first came back to Jamaica to start working at Western Sports as a marketing manager for the company's PUMA brand. She was subsequently spotted by Ed Barnes, who hired her to provide analysis for track and field competitions on television. Later, she was hired to work at a VMBS Boys' and Girls' Championships by Ed Wallace, the KLAS FM program manager at the time. Alston Stewart, the chairman, subsequently requested that she serve as a regular presenter for the daily sports chat show Scoreboard.

Minister Cuthbert-Flynn has been a lifetime supporter of a healthy lifestyle that involves good nutrition, exercise, and a happy outlook. She has run a fitness and wellness centre since 2005. She was a former physical trainer for the Arnett Gardens Football Club, a qualified personal trainer, a television personality, and a motivational speaker, and she worked as the marketing manager at Western Sports, where she had a key role in getting Usain Bolt signed by Puma International in 2003. She has also served on the boards of the Sports Development Foundation and the Institute of Sports in the past, as well as on the committee for the disciplinary panel of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.

Cuthbert-Flynn entered politics in 2014 after being introduced to the media by the Jamaica Labour Party at the party's 71st-anniversary press conference and website relaunch at its Belmont Road headquarters in St. Andrew. Later, it was revealed that she would represent the party in the St. Andrew West Rural constituency as their standard-bearer. She was chosen by Andrew Holness, the then-leader of the opposition, to serve as the junior opposition spokesperson for health and healthy living.

She went on to defeat incumbent Paul Buchanan of the People's National Party in the general election on February 25, 2016, becoming the first Olympian to be elected to Jamaica's Parliament. She has been an outspoken supporter of women in the community throughout her tenure as a politician and has worked to legalize abortion in Jamaica. To continue serving the St. Andrew West Rural constituency in the general elections on September 3, 2020, she was re-elected for a second term.

Krystal Tomlinson of the People's National Party was beaten by Cuthbert-Flynn, who increased her margin of victory from the 2016 election. On September 12, 2020, Cuthbert-Flynn was appointed as a State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, working alongside portfolio Minister Dr Christopher Tufton. Cuthbert-Flynn is largely in charge of maternal health, HIV prevention, and the decrease of drug abuse in her capacity as State Minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Juliet Cuthbert Flynn's journey from an accomplished athlete to a prominent political figure exemplifies the power of individuals to make a difference. Her story serves as a reminder that anyone, regardless of their background or previous endeavours, can create meaningful change in their community. As Jamaica moves forward, Julieth Cuthbert Flynn stands as a beacon of hope, showing that progress is possible and that women can be strong leaders in the fight for equality.

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References & Sources For Juliet Cuthbert Flynn

1. Juliet Cuthbert Flynn – Office of the Prime Minister. (n.d.). Juliet Cuthbert Flynn – Office of the Prime Minister. https://opm.gov.jm/cabinet_ministers/juliet-cuthbert-flynn/
2. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn - B.A.S.E. Foundation (Jamaica). (n.d.). B.A.S.E. Foundation (Jamaica). https://basejamaica.com/staff-members/juliet-cuthbert-flynn/

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