« Mr. Vegas a Hit in Japan |
Main
| Michael Jackson’s soiled undies auctioned on eBay »
September 09, 2008
Usain Bolt gets a hero’s welcome home
 “To the world,” was the first thing Usain “Lightening” Bolt said as he returned to Jamaica yesterday to a welcome fit for the hero he has become. Bringing home his world record gold medals earned at this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, Bolt triggered an eruption of love, pride and immense joy amongst Jamaicans at home and abroad.
Throngs of people waited for him to arrive at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday afternoon.
As the man who made history in Beijing by winning the 100 and 200 meters in world record time descended from the aircraft, he struck the famous ‘lightening pose’. From the slight lean of the body, finger in the air to one side and the other arm outstretched Bolt paused for a moment before going into a few moves of the ‘Usain Bolt’ dance; completely thrilling the enormous crowd.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and Sports Minister Olivia Grange met Bolt as he stepped off the Virgin Atlantic flight yesterday afternoon. A celebration ceremony was held that evening at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, where Bolt got a chance to meet with international press.
Returning ahead of his team mates, the 22 year-old’s welcome acted also as the launching of many activities being arranged by the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports. Prime Minister Golding announced a celebration is slated for October 3rd when all the other Jamaica Olympic team members will return home. It is expected to an elaborate affair with floats, a rally and so on.
The airport yesterday was overly packed with well-wishers and the Prime Minister said he hadn’t seen a motorcade of this type since Nelson Mandela landed in Jamaica.
There were some requests from Bolt’s entourage for increased security at one point, as people were banging on his car. The Prime Minister said Bolt was not in need of security and the gestures were all acts of love. “Jamaica is proud of you as you have proven that we are the best in the world,” the Prime Minster stated. He further said that Usain Bolt was at this moment in greater demand that Barack Obama.
Urging all the athletes to make every effort to go back to their respective regions of Jamaica, the Prime Minister said they should spend time with community members, especially the children in schools.
“Thanks to everyone for your support; I can’t begin to tell you how I feel,” Bolt told reporters and others. “ I am happy to come home and was really looking forward to it.” Bolt vowed to keep Jamaica on top saying he is looking forward to dealing with the challenges involved.
On questions of his intention to donate to any Jamaican charities, Bolt said that his management is working with him to sort all that out and they have not yet made any final plans. His influence on the murderers in the ‘garrisons’ – where crime rates decreased during the Olympics, was questioned and Bolt said - they know it is all about unity now. “I hope they keep the unity and what I want is for everyone to keep everything cool…hold down the war and mek we just deal wid the unity right now.”
Jamaica’s oldest Olympian, Cynthia Thompson, who ran in the 1948 games was on hand along with two other former Olympians – to greet Bolt.
Stewarts added a brand new BMW to the list of well-deserved gifts being showered on the Bolt.
Posted by yardFlex at September 9, 2008 06:25 PM
Comments
|
Posted by: Incognito
on September 9, 2008 06:55 PM
|
Seriously Yardlfex mi lose offa unno. You mean it was too hard to do a pictorial for your overseas readers? Mi nuh waan read nuh long article, mi waan see di pictures.
|
Posted by: SIMONE
on September 9, 2008 08:11 PM
|
|
Posted by: Karen Ann
on September 9, 2008 08:44 PM
|
To the world Bolt, props!
|
Posted by: hks
on September 9, 2008 09:07 PM
|
i dont see the sense in this big welcoming for usain bolt. the media and the government is making itlook like its only usain bolt who went to the olympics and perform well for jamaica. how doyou think the other athletes feel that have done jamaica proud when they see there is only a press conference for usain only?
|
Posted by: Wade Cameron
on September 9, 2008 10:39 PM
|
Well Deserved. Lightning Bolt to di whorl!!!!
|
Posted by: NicNat
on September 9, 2008 11:47 PM
|
Welcome back to your homeland safely...We Jamaicans near and far r proud of u..Wishing all da best 4 tha future
|
Posted by: Tresha
on September 12, 2008 06:52 PM
|
Usain did a great job and so did the other Jamaican athletes, The three women in the hundred meter was wonderful. Of course so was Veronica and Melaine. The ones that didn't medal was good also, especially Maurice. Good job to all. Lets continue and do it again in 4. I was expecting Powell to get a silver, but am sure he'll work on it.
|
Posted by: marlonex
on September 12, 2008 07:20 PM
|
@hks
tHEY HAVING SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY. Plus at the end of the day a people rush bolt anuh politician plus call a spade a spade. WHE BOLT DUH NEVER DUN IN HISTORY YES HISTORY SO WHAT IF DEM WAAAH GI HIM A EXTRA BIGUP. WE REWARD EXCELLENCE!!! SIMPLE
|
Posted by: simone
on September 13, 2008 01:59 AM
|
bolt to the world , we in the U.S are very proud and I know that the people back home are krazy right now with pride . it's been a long time coming .
DEM FI KNOW SAY JAMAICA IS ON TOP OF THE WORD STAE
TO THE WORLD TO ALL THE RUNNERS AND WELCOME HOME.YOU DONE KNOW SAY THAT DEH PARTY SOLD OFF.
|
Posted by: Devon Daimond
on September 13, 2008 07:35 PM
|
It Felt good to know that we dominated in the form of Usain showing the world that Jamiacans dont Play we do it and do it well I hope this goes to show that we have unlimited talent in the camp only regret I have is that there should be more entries of Athletes from Jamiaca to embarass dem some more. But Usain Well done. To di Worlllllll.
|
Posted by: Devon diamond
on September 13, 2008 07:38 PM
|
For the first time in my Adult life I am really Proud of my country or should I say I have never watched my tv with my country performing and tear up every time before this was a moving year for Me and Jamiaca on a whole the Unity was remarkable to the whole Olympic Crew. Well done.
|
Posted by: Babybob
on September 14, 2008 01:05 PM
|
To di worl!! Big ups to di real olympian, di real conquorer of records!
All props to yu Missa Bolt of lightnin'!!
I wish you continued success. Thanks for making us Jamaicans, at home or abroad, very proud again.
|
Posted by: Veronica
on September 15, 2008 07:56 AM
|
Usain, BIG BIG BIG. Proud to be Black and Jamaican
All the Jamaican olympian's made us Proud. It was great being in Jamaica at the time.
Let's make the World Proud now and stop the war amongst ourselves.
|
Posted by: Bey
on September 16, 2008 03:43 PM
|
@ hks, All the athletes had a big welcome. Usain was the first to arrive in Jamaica and it may appear that he had a bigger welcome since more people might have turned out for him. They all had a well deserved welcome at the airport and they all had a huge turnout of people with the same sort of motorcade to wherever the reception was held. So please don't say there was a big welcome for Usain and not for the others as that statement is not factual.
|
Posted by: tina attitude
on September 17, 2008 10:00 AM
|
yess usain 2 di wurl a lot of people a hate pon u but nuh watch nuh face who god bless no man curse u done set it already to di wurlllll big up f*cck all haters tina attitude seh so
Post a comment
|
