Samuda was speaking in the build-up to the multi-sport event, due to be held from October 20 to November 5 2023, which is set to offer record numbers of qualifying spots for an Olympics.

"This is indeed breaking news for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games {that they} will have the most qualifying sports for any Olympic Games ever in its history and therefore I’m encouraging all athletes across the spectrum of sports to endeavour to book their tickets to these Games and provide themselves with an opportunity to represent Jamaica in 2024 at the Paris Olympic Games," said Samuda, as reported by Caribbean National Weekly Network.

"As this administration of the JOA has maintained, the Pan American Games, as well as the Central American and Caribbean Games are no longer second cousins but are important Games in their own right.

"What are we at the JOA therefore saying to our men and women who are aspiring to wear the black, green and gold in Paris in 2024, we are saying get with the programme of the JOA and the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games and get into the Games."

Sports with direct qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympics, which will feature as part of the 2023 Pan American Games, include archery, boxing, breaking, diving, equestrian, field hockey, gymnastics, handball, modern pentathlon, sailing, shooting, sport climbing, surfing, table tennis, lawn tennis, and water polo.

Sports with qualifying standards and points towards Paris 2024 are set to include athletics, badminton, 3x3 basketball, BMX cycling, swimming, taekwondo, triathlon and weightlifting.

Meanwhile, the Central American and Caribbean Games, also referenced by Samuda as important build-up to Paris 2024, is due to be held in El Salvador from June 23 to July 8 2023.