BoltWESTERN BUREAU:
A WIDE cross section of society was on hand on Saturday night at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Hotel in Rose Hall, Montego Bay to attend a function in honour of World Junior Championships 200m gold medal winner Usain Bolt.
The 16 year-old Bolt was Jamaica's only individual gold medal winner at the event that was held at the national stadium in July, where he won the 200m event in 20.61 seconds. He also ran on the 4x100 and 4x400m relay teams that both won medals as well.
The function was put on by the Past Students Association of the William Knibb Memorial High School and saw a number of prominent persons in attendance.
Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister, Delano Franklin represented the government while also present were president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), Patrick Anderson, head coach of the boys' team to the World Junior Championship - Edward Hector and principal of William Knibb - Mrs. Margaret Lee.
Olympians Juliet Cuthbert who was the guest speaker and Sandie Richards as well as a number of Bolt's team-mates on the WJC team were also in attendance.
Bolt who is an 11th grade student at William Knibb received a number of prizes including a $150,000 cheque from the government that was presented by Mr. Franklin, one year's supply of Gatorade from Pepsi, dinner for two from any Sandals Hotel, a gift voucher worth $20,000 to start a saving account at Jamaica Money Market Brokers, two tickets on Air Jamaica to any North American destination from The Jamaica Observer, footwear and clothing from Western Sports /Puma Jamaica and gift vouchers from In-Thing Shoes Store and Trelawny Pharmacy.
In his tribute JAAA president Pat Anderson said he was "impressed with Usain's humility and maturity for his age" and warned him to be careful of those who wanted to be close to him because of his success.
Hector who is also the boys coach at Holmwood Technical had high praises for the coaches who had helped in Bolt's development and added that those around the young athlete should also look out for the academic development as well.
- Paul A. Reid
