Jarmila Jackson, Features Writer

Usain Bolt makes his trademark pose for fans on arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, yesterday. - photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The long-awaited homecoming of Jamaica's Olympic hero, Usain 'Lightning' Bolt, led thousands of Jamaicans to scatter along the route of his extravagant motorcade into black, green and gold outfits, despite a torrential downpour.

Half an hour before his plane touched down on Jamaican soil yesterday afternoon, the crowd outside Norman Manley International Airport had already spilled out on to the road. They blocked traffic to mimic his signature 'lightning' pose while dancing the now famous Nuh Linga and Gully Creepa, to music blaring from speakers strapped to the back of a bicycle as policemen on duty stood by, powerless to stop them.

"Some people a get wet, but we nuh care," said Beverly Henderson, one of hundreds of residents who had flooded the intersection of Windward Road and Mountain View Avenue, waving flags and knocking together Dutch-pot covers in a frenzy anxiously awaiting the moment they would get a glimpse of their hero.

We want Bolt

Fans try to get a look at Bolt while it rains at the intersection of Windward Road and Mountain View Avenue. - ricardo maykyn/staff photographer

"All phone a get wet, but we nuh wah no phone, we want Bolt!" she said.

At one point, time seemed to stop when one woman shouted "A him! A him!" while pointing to the motorcycle units that led the motorcade.

Abandoning any semblance of shelter, even as the rain got heavier, adults and children alike stormed barefoot towards the car through ankle-high water.

A stampede threatened as people pushed past each other, running alongside the maroon-coloured BMW to touch a hand that Bolt could only manage to extend a short distance through the cracked window.

From Harbour View, straight through Rockfort and on to Mountain View, crowds erupted in celebration, bearing signs with '9.69', as the motorcade pushed slowly along to end at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, in New Kingston.

"Oh God! He did Jamaica proud!" said one vendor, laughing as he tried to resume his business. "What a piece of excitement!"

Fans, young and old, turn out to get a glimpse of Bolt along the path of the Olympic superstar's motorcade yesterday.

Bolt is greeted on arrival by Lorna Golding (foreground), wife of Prime Minister Bruce Golding (left), while security personnel look on.

Bolt is greeted by his mother, Jennifer, father, Wellesley (second right), brother, Sadiki (right), and Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Bolt is welcomed by Mark Linehan (centre), CEO of Digicel Jamaica, and Richard Stewart, executive chairman of Stewart's Auto Sales.

Fans show support for Bolt.