OUTSTANDING ATHLETE. Team player. Student. Champion.
Today, you are being honoured for your magnificent performance at the 2002 IAAF/Coca-Cola World Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.
Jamaicans of all ages will long remember your performance, and they cheered every stride as you 'gazelled' away from your rivals in the 200 metres final to secure Jamaica's only gold medal at the championships before a jampacked audience at the National Stadium. It was one of the defining moments of the year 2002.
In addition to winning the 200m at the World Junior Championships, this lanky lad from Trelawny piloted Jamaica's 4x100 metres team to two record-breaking performances. On the penultimate day of the meet, Jamaica, with Bolt on the anchor leg, clocked a national junior record of 39.38 seconds in the semi-finals. Bolt was again at his brilliant best in the 4x400m on the final day as Jamaica produced another national record - 3:04.06 - again placing second to the United States, winners of the gold medal in 3:03.71.
At the time, you were 15 years old and a student at William Knibb Memorial High School, Falmouth, Trelawny, and you had hinted at things-to-come when you won four gold medals, including both the Under-17 200m and 400m races in record times at the Carifta Games just a few weeks before the youth championships.
We commend you on your outstanding achievements as you were subsequently voted by the International Association of Amateur Athletics (IAAF), the most impressive male junior athlete for 2002, and presented with the Rising Star award at the November 17 World Athletics Gala in Monaco, last year.
We recognise the value of your journey and wish for you continued success. In November, you were presented with the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Sports. And in an era where athletes are too often prisoners of their over-inflated egos, you have remained humble and gracious despite all the kudos and accolades.
Sir, we salute you for your determination and excellence. We hail your brilliance on the track, and we acknowledge the tremendous responsibility you carry as you continue to represent the name of Jamaica in the world of track and field.
For these reasons, we present you with pleasure, the 2002 Gleaner Honour Award of Excellence.
