Post by kaya on Sept 15, 2008 1:55:39 GMT -5
September 11, 2008
Usain Bolt unfazed by his new ambassadorial role
Usain Bolt may have thought that he was going home when he boarded for Kingston, on Monday, but it would appear that he has returned instead to a life of big hotels and public engagements. The authorities will not start a Bolt press conference without a rendition of the national anthem and they will not let him out until after a good two hours' deification.
At one such engagement on Tuesday, a government minister declared that Bolt's achievements at the Beijing Olympic Games last month - when he set world records in winning the 100 metres and 200 metres gold medals - were “a turning point in Jamaica's future”. At another, the Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, informed him: “I want you to send a message to the young people. I want you to do everything you can to inspire them.” When the national Puma representative got her turn at the rostrum, she told him: “You now have an awesome responsibility as a role model to the young people of Jamaica.” And Bolt rolled his eyes.
So, no pressure, then, although the island's favourite son is now pretty much officially public property. So many times has he been asked to strike his signature, lightning-bolt pose, that he may soon start to regret he ever did it. They cannot drill the natural exuberance from the young man, though; even before the Prime Minister had got the opportunity to speak at their joint engagement, Bolt's favourite reggae singer, Movado, struck up a song and Bolt sprang from his seat to repeat the dance that most people last saw on the track in Beijing.
However, Jamaica is not going to miss the opportunity that Bolt's fast legs have afforded them. At an event on Tuesday, Edmund Bartlett, the Minister for Tourism, and Olivia Grange, the Minister for Information, Culture, Youth and Sport, sat either side of him to present him in his new identity as a tourism ambassador. The two ministries are to work together for what they see as a brave new world of sports tourism in Jamaica, with Bolt at its heart.
True to Bolt's horizontal demeanour, he does not seem fazed by the life change that his success appears to have inflicted on him. “It's a part of the game,” he said. “You do well, you expect to be overwhelmed by people. I know my life is going to change, but I'll see what it brings.”
The part that one imagines will appeal to Bolt most is the island's official post-Beijing celebrations, starting on October 3, when all of Jamaica's medal-winners are home. The original intention had been to declare three days of national holiday. However, the Government announced yesterday that the party would last a week.
Usain Bolt unfazed by his new ambassadorial role
Usain Bolt may have thought that he was going home when he boarded for Kingston, on Monday, but it would appear that he has returned instead to a life of big hotels and public engagements. The authorities will not start a Bolt press conference without a rendition of the national anthem and they will not let him out until after a good two hours' deification.
At one such engagement on Tuesday, a government minister declared that Bolt's achievements at the Beijing Olympic Games last month - when he set world records in winning the 100 metres and 200 metres gold medals - were “a turning point in Jamaica's future”. At another, the Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, informed him: “I want you to send a message to the young people. I want you to do everything you can to inspire them.” When the national Puma representative got her turn at the rostrum, she told him: “You now have an awesome responsibility as a role model to the young people of Jamaica.” And Bolt rolled his eyes.
So, no pressure, then, although the island's favourite son is now pretty much officially public property. So many times has he been asked to strike his signature, lightning-bolt pose, that he may soon start to regret he ever did it. They cannot drill the natural exuberance from the young man, though; even before the Prime Minister had got the opportunity to speak at their joint engagement, Bolt's favourite reggae singer, Movado, struck up a song and Bolt sprang from his seat to repeat the dance that most people last saw on the track in Beijing.
However, Jamaica is not going to miss the opportunity that Bolt's fast legs have afforded them. At an event on Tuesday, Edmund Bartlett, the Minister for Tourism, and Olivia Grange, the Minister for Information, Culture, Youth and Sport, sat either side of him to present him in his new identity as a tourism ambassador. The two ministries are to work together for what they see as a brave new world of sports tourism in Jamaica, with Bolt at its heart.
True to Bolt's horizontal demeanour, he does not seem fazed by the life change that his success appears to have inflicted on him. “It's a part of the game,” he said. “You do well, you expect to be overwhelmed by people. I know my life is going to change, but I'll see what it brings.”
The part that one imagines will appeal to Bolt most is the island's official post-Beijing celebrations, starting on October 3, when all of Jamaica's medal-winners are home. The original intention had been to declare three days of national holiday. However, the Government announced yesterday that the party would last a week.