August 17, 2009

We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving at this time of the Panmedia Salute than Usain Bolt. The amazing sprinter has charmed the world with his abilities and his impish behaviour.

His confidence is astounding. “…for me, anything is possible” Bolt told a reporter. He certainly proved it this week. Bolt ran 9.58 seconds in the 100m finals for the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin after setting the previous World Record of 9.69 seconds. He is now the world’s first and second fastest man in the world. That’s a pretty outstanding accomplishment for a 22 year old athlete.

This is not the first time that the Trelawny native has stunned the world of sports. In the 2008 Olympics he snatched three world records for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. He has well earned the nickname Lightning Bolt.

Bolt’s win is a lift to Jamaicans in these challenging times for the country. He is a source of pride and is hugely admired at home and abroad by everyone who has seen his athletic performance. Puma, with whom Bolt has a sponsorship deal, even launched the ‘Bolt Arms’, a stadium waving version of The Big Man’s signature arm pose.

Like a truly great athlete Usain Bolt also won the 200m finals at the 12th IAAF in Berlin, with a new world record of 19.19 seconds.
Watch the video.

He has already entered the athletic history books and seems destined to remain a force in sports for a long time. For that he will always be a key recipient of the Panmedia Salute!

GOLD RUSH
And it’s not just Bolt…the entire Jamaican camp of athletes seems to have medal fever.

Shelly-Ann Fraser, Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Melanie Walker also scored gold medals in Berlin. Fraser won the women’s 100m final in 10.73 seconds ahead of Jamaican team mate Kerron Stewart who came in a close second at 10.75 seconds.

Foster-Hylton won the gold for the women’s 110m hurdles in 12.51 while team mate Delloreen Ennis-London came in third in 12.55 seconds.

Melanie joined the gold crew by winning the women’s 400m hurdles in 52.42 seconds.

We also have some silver medals. Shericka Williams won the silver medal in the women’s 400m and Veronica Campbell-Brown also got silver in the 200m finals.

Asafa Powell didn’t disappoint either. He ran the men’s 100m and placed third.

We salute all Jamaican athletes participating in the 12th IAAF in Berlin. Well Done.