The head coach of Jamaica's team to the Athens Olympic Games, Dennis Johnson (right), poses with other awardees (from left) Jermaine Gonzales, Germaine Mason, Winston Smith, Ainsley Waugh, Sherone Simpson, Brigitte Foster and Asafa Powell at Tuesday's reception to honour UTech athletes at the Dr. Alfred Sangster Auditorium. - WINSTON SILL/Freelance Photographer
THE UNIVERSITY of Technology (UTech) honoured its students who took part in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games at a reception held at the Alfred Sangster auditorium on Tuesday evening.
Sherone Simpson and Ainsley Waugh of the Hospitality and Tourism Management faculty, Winston Smith of Art & Science of Sport and Asafa Powell of the Electrical Engineering department, were the UTech students feted.
Usain Bolt and Jermaine Gonzales of the UTech-based IAAF High Performance Centre (HPC) along with UTech Club athletes Brigitte Foster and Michael Frater were also recognised.
Michael Frater, a student at Texas Christian University (TCU), and Bolt, the world junior 200m record holder, were present to collect their awards.
UTech coaches - Dennis Johnson, the university director of sports and head coach for the Olympic team along with Stephen Francis were also honoured for their sterling contributions. So too was Fitz Coleman of the IAAF High Performance Centre (HPC). Francis and Coleman weren't present to collect their awards.
Pan American Games high jump champion Germaine Mason was recognised by the UTech Students' Union president, Kenisha Linton, with a token of appreciation.
PAINFUL MOMENT IN SPORT
She told him that although injury ruled him out of the Athens Olympics, which he described as his most painful moment in sport, "God knew why you did not go and your day will come."
In saying thanks, Simpson, a member of the historic women's 4x100m relay team which struck gold, said "We the athletes of the UTech club are happy with the honours given. We know it's a pleasure to represent our country and we did it proud. This just helps to motivate us."
Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport who, along with UTech's past president Dr. Alfred Sangster, attended the reception, told the awardees they made Jamaica proud.
She also countered UTech president Dr. Rae Davis, who earlier said the athletes competed against 'name brand' performers. Simpson Miller said "there can be no other 'name brand' apart from the ones coming out of Jamaica.
"Athletes, you have carved out for yourselves, a space in our rich sport heritage," she added while saying thanks to UTech for producing top-class athletes.
"It is good to know that eight of the Olympians have associations with this institution. Congratulations to all of you, our athletes, thank you for representing us well," Simpson Miller said.
Pro-Chancellor Dr. Blossom O'Meally-Nelson told the athletes: "Continue to make the best of your opportunities. Success is the most valuable point in your life.
