http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,164704.htmlHOLIDAY, RECEPTION FOR JAVELIN KING WALCOTT
Monday, August 13 2012
TODAY, Monday August 13, has been granted as a public holiday by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar while a motorcade will take place from the Piarco International Airport to Toco, via Arima, for the 19-year-old olympic javelin king Keshorn Walcott.On Saturday, Walcott created history by becoming the youngest Olympic javelin champion, and Trinidad and Tobago’s second Olympic gold medallist (after Hasely Crawford’s 100-metre success in 1976) when he registered a throw of 84.58 metres at the Olympic Stadium, London, England to defeat his 11 rivals in the final.
Walcott will be the marquee name among a group of eight TT athletes returning home at 9.45 am today from London, along with officials and Walcott’s Cuban-born coach Ismael Lopez Mastrapa.
In an address to the nation last evening, PM Persad-Bissessar disclosed, “I have advised His Excellency, Acting President (Timothy) Hamel-Smith that Monday 13th August be appointed a national holiday in honour of the winning of the Olympic gold medal to Keshorn Walcott in the men’s javelin final on Saturday 11th August 2012 and in recognition of the outstanding performance of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic team at the Olympic Games in London.”
Moments earlier, PM Persad-Bissessar commented, “with each event, dreams were fulfilled, greatness was achieved and our patriotic spirit was renewed in very majestic fashion. Our Olympic athletes not only validated our belief and faith in their superior sporting talent but, once again, they proved to the world that Trinidad and Tobago is a force to be reckoned with, (taking) one gold and three bronze medals (at the 30th Olympiad in London).”
She continued, “our people and our passion have now become international benchmarks for greatness.”
The Prime Minister said, “I convey my most sincere gratitude to Keshorn and indeed to all our Olympians.”
She also extended congratulations towards Lalonde Gordon, who finished third in the men’s 400-metre sprint last Monday, as well as the bronze medal relay teams - men’s 4x100m and men’s 4x400m.
PM Persad-Bissessar also urged the TT athletes to strive to become, and indeed remain, as role models for the future generation.
“It is for you to remind those who will now want to walk the trail that you’ve blazed, that whatever your circumstances, wherever you live, however challenging the path in front of you may be, victory is possible.”
Some of the other athletes who will be touching down at the Piarco International Airport include bronze medallist (men’s 4x400-metre relay) Ade Alleyne-Forte, cyclist Njisane Phillip (who finished fourth in the sprint and seventh in the keirin) and pistol shooter Roger Daniel.
Also returning home are Michelle-Lee Ahye, who featured in both the women’s 100m and the women’s 4x100m relay squad, Mikel Thomas (men’s 110m hurdles) and the pair of Machel Cedenio (a reserve member of the 4x400m relay) and Reyare Thomas (a back-up member of the women’s 4x100m relay).
PM Persad-Bissessar is expected to deliver a keynote address while Sports Minister Anil Roberts is due to offer remarks to the athletes.
In a media release from the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Roberts was quoted as saying that he is “indeed delighted to welcome home members of our most successful Olympic team. If they have not yet grasped the magnitude of their achievements, I am certain that these young, brave athletes will appreciate the warm reception they are due to receive. We wish safe travels and eagerly anticipate their return home.”
The media release stated that local entertainers will be performing to the delegation, as well as the fans and well-wishers at the Airport’s Atrium.
PM Persad-Bissessar pointed out, “at that reception we will disclose, on behalf of the nation, in what ways Keshorn Walcott will be honoured.
“Thereafter we will hold, together with Keshorn and his family, a motorcade to take our hero from Piarco, onto the Eastern Main Road to Arima, through Valencia (and) Sangre Grande, and end in a tribute arranged by the village of Toco, in partnership of the Government, at the Toco Composite School.”
At an earlier event yesterday, when questioned by reporters, PM Persad- Bissessar gave her reaction to Walcott’s success.
“I was remembering when Keshorn won (the World Junior title in Barcelona, Spain), we were in Tobago and I used the press conference then to congratulate him. Little knowing that, at the end of it all, of the Olympics, we would be congratulating a great son of the soil.”
The Prime Minister continued, “a 19-year-old who will ignite the youth, ignite our nation. He brings gold when our country is celebrating its golden jubilee. We say congratulations to him.”
She added, “the performances have been absolutely tremendous. We may be a little dot but size does not determine a great nation.”
Asked how she felt when Walcott received his gold medal and the national anthem was playing, she replied, “I did have tears.
“I was in one of my vehicles touring (Diego Martin) so I got to hear it on the radio. My security detail and my driver started to clap. They might have run off the road but everybody was so happy.”
Walcott’s victory was hailed by a number of past and present TT Olympians on Twitter on Saturday, with the 19-year-old, in his first blog on Twitter, mentioning simply, “thank you Jesus!”
Quadruple Olympic medallist Ato Boldon wrote, “attention all ‘psychics’ in TT, quit. You are out of business. If you were really psychic you would have seen this coming.”
Another Olympic medallist, swimmer George Bovell III (2004 in Athens) commented, “boom! Gold medal in javelin, Walcott = hero.”
Hurdler Jehue Gordon added, “big up to Keshorn, job well done. It was a wonderful Olympics for Team TT,” while sailor Andrew Lewis, another member of the 2012 Olympic team, stated, “amazing day for the history of Trinidad and Tobago. Sports is our way of life now and forever.”
And American-born TT hurdler Wayne Davis II joked, “Keshorn Walcott and he mango pelting techniques. Thanks to all the mango trees in his neighbourhood!”