Home  News Regional News Beijing heroes given keys to city
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Beijing heroes given keys to city |
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Sunday, 12 October 2008 |
KINGSTON– Jamaica’s gold medal winners at the Beijing Olympic Games were presented with keys to the city of Kingston Friday, at a function to launch a week of activities celebrating the country’s success at the 29th Olympiad.
Usain Bolt, who emerged from the August showpiece as double sprint champion and with a reinforced claim to being the world’s fastest man, led the awardees.
The 22-year old clocked 9.69 seconds to win the 100 meters in world record time and returned to jet to 19.30 seconds in capturing the 200 meters and breaking American legend Michael Johnson’s 12-year old record of 19.32 seconds.
Bolt was joined by the list of champions in Beijing including 100 meters winner Shelly-Ann Fraser, 200 meters champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and Melaine Walker, who took the 400 meters hurdles in an Olympic record 52.64 seconds.
The record breaking men’s 4x100m team of Asafa Powell, Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Dwight Thomas, also received keys to the city.
Other medal winners including 400m silver medalist Shericka Williams; Kerron Stewart, who won silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m, and the women’s 1600m relay team, received medals from Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie.
In making the presentations, Mayor McKenzie, told the athletes “the presentations are an appreciation of a great city.”
“We are proud of you. Thank you for serving your country,” Mayor McKenzie said.
The presentations were made at a function held at the Norman Manley International Airport, which opened the week-long celebrations for the Beijing athletes.
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