IOC President Thomas Bach met Jamaican sambists in Kingston ©Jamaica Sambo and Combat Sambo Federation

Jamaican sambists have given a demonstration of the sport to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach during his visit to Kingston.

Sambo was included in a presentation of 13 sports supported by the Jamaican Olympic Association which had been organised for the visit.

"We tried to present sambo as brightly as possible and at the same time compactly, demonstrating the best techniques of our athletes," said Jamaica Sambo and Combat Sambo Federation President Daniel Chacko-Wilmot.

"I am sure that IOC President knows our favourite sport very well and now he could personally see its development in Jamaica."

The sport of sambo received recognition from the Jamaica Olympic Association last year ©Jamaica Sambo and Combat Sambo Federation
The sport of sambo received recognition from the Jamaica Olympic Association last year ©Jamaica Sambo and Combat Sambo Federation

The sport had received recognition from the Jamaica Olympic Association last year in the wake of the IOC granting full recognition to sambo and other combat sports.

"We all know the power of sport in Jamaica. It is mainly athletics, but we see that its scope is expanding," Bach said during a meeting with Jamaican athletes.

"While athletics plays an important role, we see many hopeful athletes in other Olympic sports, which is very encouraging."


Bach was also shown demonstrations by participants in fencing, volleyball, basketball, boxing, archery, weightlifting, esports, chess, floorball, judo, karate, taekwondo and gymnastics.

In an unscheduled moment, the sambists invited the gymnasts to participate in a "masterclass."