Jamaica Celebrates The Return Of Her Golden Olympic Athletes
Jamaica’s ‘fanta-bulous’ Beijing 2008 Olympic athletes have all reached home. The Jamaican government gave the go ahead for 7 days of celebration. The party began in Kingston Friday October 3rd and will continue to Friday October 10th. From Kingston, the celebration will head out to Montego Bay, St. James and Falmouth, Trelawny.
It was my mother who called with the news. Listen, my mother would make an excellent social bookmarker you know. I tell you she gets the word out to me faster than a Tweet from Twitter. Mother said that there was a huge traffic jam in Kingston and the only time she has ever seen so many people on the street was the day of Bob Marley’s funeral. Since I remember that event, I am suitably awed. And plenty jealous too!
The image above from Yardflex did nothing to help my jealousy and vexation for not being home for this. I would have loved to see those beautifully crafted floats with Jamaica’s gold medalists Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelley-Ann Fraser and Melanie Walker. Did you notice the fists with the relay batons!! Yes, it’s these guys right here.
Since early this evening there was the Grand Gala at the National Stadium. And what did my darling mother do? She called me again, this time to put the phone to the TV for me to hear the noise. I had to remind her that it was unchristian to tease her poor child that way.
Anyway, Images Newsletter has the full schedule of the celebratory events to honour Jamaica’s star Olymipc team for their triumphs in Beijing. I’m missing out on the event, but my mother’s infectious laughter and joy warmed my heart. I much rather hear that sound than feel the gloom and anger that covered the country up to earlier this week with the murders of more Jamaican children. And it’s the youth again who went to Beijing, China, gave of their best and brought joy to our hearts. And yet we do so little to protect them.
So from my little corner here in Panama, I send good vibes back home to Jamaica. I am so proud of our athletes and all they have accomplished. I’m proud of all who are sponsoring these events to make it all happen.Surely the country could not afford this splash without some help. And I’m particularly pleased to hear of the J$4. million contributed by the Spanish-Jamaica Foundation. These are Spanish investors, business owners, and hoteliers who benefit from the positive contribution these athletes have made to Jamaica’s Tourism sector. Way to go!! Give back to those who help your business grow.
I’ll of course keep my eyes peeled for the latest videos of the celebrations on Youtube or elsewhere. Surely some enterprising Jamaican would have captured the event. Or maybe I’ll have to bang on the doors of media houses to see who will be nice to me. (Ahem. Hint Hint my friends)
More to come,
Marvia
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October 18th, 2008 at 1:07 am
[...] just send the link around. Help our Jamaican athletes finish with a bang. They have been amazing. Jamaica’s golden Olympic team were recently honoured in Jamaica. Now you can join the world and bestow more honours on [...]