Sir Kirani James’ CANOC ambassador role to extend beyond ceremony

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, Oct. 26, 2026 - Sir Kirani James will mentor athletes, address national Olympic committees and promote sporting and academic achievement across the Caribbean in an active role as the region’s first CANOC Sports Ambassador.

Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) President Keith Joseph says Sir Kirani James’ appointment as the organisation’s first Sports Ambassador was designed to give young Caribbean athletes a regional role model, not to create another ceremonial position.

The CANOC President rejected any suggestion that the position would be largely ceremonial.

“No, no, no,” Joseph said on Saturday’s TalkSports programme with Michael Bascombe when asked

about the scope of the appointment.

“Part of our engagement of the ambassador is to facilitate his being able to go to different fora, to speak with athletes, to be an example to athletes of what they can be.”

Sir Kirani was officially installed as CANOC’s inaugural Sports Ambassador during the organisation’s workshop in Curaçao on October 17.

Joseph said Sir Kirani could also attend assemblies of national Olympic committees, encourage young people to participate in sport, and challenge the perception that athletic involvement conflicts with academic achievement.

CANOC has also given the Grenadian the latitude to identify events and discussions at which he believes he can make a useful contribution.

Joseph said the position was established because prominent athletes can influence how children view themselves and their possibilities.

“We need people that our young people can look up to,” he said.

Joseph said Sir Kirani’s address in Curaçao reinforced CANOC’s decision. He noted that the former Olympic and world 400-metre champion repeatedly reflected on his upbringing and the people who supported his development.

“It appears as though throughout his career, he maintained a link with his roots,” Joseph said. “He was always aware that whatever he was achieving was intended not just for him, but for those who gave rise to what he would become.”

James became Grenada’s first Olympic medallist when he won the 400m at the 2012 London Games. He later secured silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, adding to the world title he won in Daegu in 2011.

Joseph argued that Caribbean sporting organisations had not done enough to preserve and promote the stories of regional athletes or explain the wider contribution sport has made to Caribbean identity.

“Kirani can do that for us,” he said.

Joseph described James as the strongest available choice because of his accomplishments, humility, and understanding of his wider regional influence. He said no objection was raised when the appointment was proposed.

CANOC could eventually appoint additional ambassadors. Joseph disclosed that the organisation had attempted to appoint a female athlete alongside James but had not completed the arrangement.

“We will also remember the importance of gender equity in this exercise,” he said.

Joseph did not announce a timetable or the first set of regional assignments for Sir Kirani.