Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Long-jumper Herbert McGregor (left) and sprinter Asafa Powell enjoy cocktails at the gala. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

After a week of motorcades, dinners, concerts and guest appearances, the Olympians can finally rest.

Jamaica's athletes who participated in the Beijing Olympics were honoured at a banquet hosted by Digicel at Vale Royal, St Andrew, last week Friday. The special Olympians and Paralympians were also honoured, along with the non-track and field members of Jamaica's Olympic team.

Mounted television monitors showed video clips of the Jamaican athletes and their stunning performances at the recent Games, while the air-conditioned tents and shaded lounge area were perfect cover in case it rained.

Silent auction

Guests paid keen attention to the silent auction, with items such as jewellery, artwork and autographed gear from the athletes, all in the package. The proceeds from the gala will go to the Special Olympics team.

The four-course meal, catered by Ciao Bella, went down nicely (with organised service no less) and Gumption Band kept the musical service also of the highest order.

Guests

Among those out were Maurice Smith; Yohan Blake; Richard Phillips; Beverley and Tony Lopez; Bruce James; Kent Pantry; Soloman Sharpe; George Cummings and wife, Debbie; Leo Taddeo and Antoinette Holman; Audrey Marks; Harry Smith; European Union delegation head, Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni; Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia; Maurice Bryan; Robert Pickersgill; Colin Hutchinson; Michele English; Shelly-Ann Curran; Tom and Rose Tavares-Finson and Fabian Thomas.

Pickapeppa big man, Stephen Lyn Kee Chow (right), hangs out with the man of the moment, Usain Bolt.

Former prime minister, Edward Seaga, makes his entrance with (from second left) Dr Rebecca Tortello, Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer and Glynne Manley at the Digicel Jamaica Olympians' homecoming gala dinner, held at Vale Royal, St Andrew, last week Friday.

Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez-Ochoa (left) and his Colombian counterpart, Ventura Emilio Diaz Mejia (centre), meet triple gold-medal winner Usain Bolt at the dinner.

Chief of Protocol in the foreign affairs and foreign trade ministry, Ricardo Allicock, in an interesting exchange with Lorna Golding, wife of the prime minister.

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller (left) greets Zein and Chris Nakash .