Adrian Frater, News Editor

Giving the crowd what it wanted, Usain Bolt does the Gully Creepa, one of his signature victory dance moves, while Jamaica's other Olympians, including Shelly-Ann Fraser (second right) and Asafa Powell (right), look on. - photos by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

Montegonians turned out in their thousands yesterday to salute Jamaica's Beijing Olympic heroes in a colourful ceremony at Sam Sharpe Square, where triple gold medal winner Usain Bolt was presented with the Keys to the City.

"Your accomplishment in Beijing was an inspiration to all Jamaica and we want you all to know that we are extremely proud of you," Montego Bay Mayor Charles Sinclair told the athletes. "Today, we want to salute you all and wish you well in your future endeavours."

In addition to Bolt, who collected gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m in Beijing, special accolades were given to 200m gold medallist Veronica Campbell-Brown, 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser, 400m hurdles gold medallist Melaine Walker and Bolt's teammates on the 4x100m winning team.

As the praises rained on the athletes, who sat among dignitaries on a stage mounted in the centre of Sam Sharpe Square, flag-waving residents scrambled for various vantage points in a bid to get the best view of the proceedings.

Stop the violence

In speaking on behalf of the athletes, Walker, Campbell-Brown and Bolt all thanked Jamaicans for their support over the years and for showing such great appreciation for their accomplishments in China. However, all three athletes took time out to call for a cessation in the violence sweeping Jamaica.

"Cut down on the violence, we nuh haffi show the world that we better than dem inna dat," said Walker, who also encouraged parents to support their children's dream and support their educational development by attending parent-teacher association meetings.

Campbell-Brown noted that, amid the joys in Beijing, she was always cognisant of the crime and violence impacting Jamaica and noted that she would love to see peace in the island.

In his unique, slang-laced style, the flamboyant Bolt implored those involved in the violence to "ease down on the crime".

He added: "We a try fi mek de ting look good, but the violence spoiling it."

A section of the large crowd that gathered to honour the athletes who participated in the Beijing Olympic Games at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St James, yesterday.