Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Mike Fennell (centre), chairman of Independence Park Limited, addresses a media conference at Independence Park yesterday. Fennell, who has to his right president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) Howard Aris and general manager at Independence Park Desmon Brown to his left, was speaking on details for next week's unveiling of Merlene Ottey's statue, which is erected in front of the National Stadium. - PHOTO BY ANTHONY FOSTER
THE UNVEILING of the Merlene Ottey statue will take place next week Wednesday, December 28, at Independence Park.
The day's proceedings will be in two parts, first with a function starting at 3:00 p.m., then the unveiling.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson will do the honours in unveiling the statue in the presence of the lady herself, Ottey.
The statue, which was shipped overseas last year to be bronzed at a cost of $2 million, was approved by the Sports Development Foundation (SDF).
This cost is in addition to the $1 million which was spent on the fibreglass casting when it was sculptured.
However, as to why it took so long for the unveiling of the statue, which is still covered up in front of the National Stadium, the chairman of Independence Park Limited (IPL) which runs the National Stadium complex, Mike Fennell, said it was a matter of getting all the relevant persons to attend the prestigious unveiling.
SAME PLACE, SAME TIME
"We had to get a number of people together in the same place at the same time. Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Local Government, Community Development & Sports wanted the Prime Minister to be present.
"We also have to ensure the person who we are honouring, Ottey, will be here," Fennell said.
Though she switched allegiance to Slovenia, Ottey contributed significantly to Jamaica prowess in track and field athletics globally.
Apart from holding all the Jamaica sprint records indoors and outdoors, Ottey, a two-time World 200m gold medallist, has won several medals at Olympics Games and World Championships between 1979 and 2000.
The occasion will also be used to relocate Donald Quarrie's statue and make an International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) presentation to Asafa Powell for establishing the World Record for 100 metres, 9.77 seconds, last year.
The event will be followed by a concert, in celebration of the performance of Jamaicans in track and field athletics this year.
