Olympic icon Usain Bolt has joined forces with his long-time sponsor Puma to provide substantial relief to two hurricane-damaged Jamaican educational institutions. The sprint legend is directing J$5 million each to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and his alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High in Trelawny, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa in late October.
The Category 5 storm inflicted severe structural damage on both campuses, particularly affecting critical learning facilities. At STETHS in Santa Cruz, the grade 11 block—essential for students preparing for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations—was completely stripped of its roofing system. Additional damage affected grades seven and nine buildings, staff accommodations, athlete dormitories, perimeter walls, and spectator stands.
William Knibb Memorial High reported seven damaged structures on its compound, with six experiencing severe roof destruction. The institution holds special significance for Bolt, who has maintained consistent support through annual equipment and gear donations since achieving professional athletic status.
The humanitarian response follows Bolt’s immediate post-hurricane deployment of an assessment team to evaluate damage in his hometown and surrounding Trelawny parishes. This strategic approach ensured targeted allocation of resources to areas of greatest need during recovery operations.
This partnership exemplifies athlete-corporate collaboration in addressing natural disaster consequences, highlighting how sports figures can leverage sponsorship relationships for community development during crises. The donation addresses both immediate infrastructural needs and long-term educational continuity for affected students.