The University of the West Indies Mona Pelican and Olympic Bronze Medalist Hansle Parchment has signed an endorsement contract with international apparel company Puma as he has decided to pursue a professional athletic career. 

Parchment a UWI Scholarship recipient and a Psychology major, created history when he became the first Jamaican the cop an Olympic medal over the 110 meters. His Olympic bronze medal performance has also gone down as a national record which was broken twice during his journey to the Olympic podium. He first lowered the national record during the semi-final in a time of 13.14 seconds and later during the finals to hurdle to history in a Personal Best, Season's Best, CARICOM Record Holder with a run of 13.12 seconds to hurdle to history.

Juliet Campbell, Parchment's manager and Olympian stated in a press release that Parchment's decision to go professional will in no way impact his studies at the UWI.

Parchment whose Olympic medal performance culminates a superb year for the athlete who is the reigning World University Games Champion, Gibson Relay Record Holder was named UWI Sports man of the year 2011.

Meanwhile Director of Sports, UWI Mona, Dalton Myers, having witnessed Parchment's development over the past three years commended him for his outstanding performance at the Olympics. "The University of the West Indies Mona congratulates Hansle Parchment on his medal winning performance at the Olympic Games. He has represented the University and Jamaica well and we are proud to have him as one of our own. We also have to acknowledge the work and guidance of his Coach Fitz Coleman and his team who have worked hard in making Hansle the person he is today." Myers said.

He added: "Hansle is a prime example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. He has also proven that one can excel in academics and athletics at the same time with a strong support system which is offered here at the University of the West Indies Mona."

 Preparations are being made to welcome the athletes back to the campus. Parchment is set to return to the island on September 9, 2012 but before that he is to participate in meets in Poland, Switzerland and Britain. 

UWI MONA SPORTS- CREATING CHAMPIONS, BUILDING LEADERS