By Paul A. Reid, Senior Staff Reporter
Usain Bolt, 200m world junior champion, greets spectators from the top of a SUV during a motorcade to welcome him home in Trelawny yesterday. - Paul Reid
WESTERN BUREAU: HUNDREDS OF supporters lined portions of an 18-mile stretch of road from the border of Trelawny and St. James to Sherwood Content in Trelawny yesterday, to welcome home newly-crowned World Junior 200m champion Usain Bolt.
Dressed mostly in bright yellow and waving flags, the jubilant supporters snaked their way through the town of Falmouth where hundreds more joined them, all wanting to touch or see their all-conquering hero. From the youngest baby to grandmothers, they all came out to wave at him as he drove past in an open top SUV that was provided by a member of the community.
The 15 year-old Bolt won three medals at the 9th IAAF/Coca Cola World Junior Championships that were held at the National Stadium from July 16-22, adding silver medals in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays to go with his gold medal in the 200m.
Fans and long time acquaintances of all ages sang his praises at a short ceremony held in his honour at the Waldensia Primary School, which he attended prior to enrolling at William Knibb Memorial.
One of the speakers at the function, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for North Trelawny Christopher Jobson, pledged to undertake Bolt's school fees and uniform cost for the next school year.
Bolt was described by his coach at William Knibb as "a special athlete who only comes this way once in a while" and his Basic school teacher, Mrs. Sharon Sievwright, told the gathering that the athlete used to cry when he lost in races at school.
