KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Chaos erupted in Jamaica’s capital city yesterday afternoon as thousands gathered in the busy thoroughfare of Half Way Tree to witness the men’s 200 metres finals at the London Olympics. For just over 19 seconds silence swept across the nation and when training partners Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir crossed the finish line in a historic one-two-three, the stillness was shattered with a cacophony of noise from pot covers and shouts of “lightening strikes again!”
From the halls of Jamaica House – the office of the Prime Minister – where Portia Simpson Miller gathered with members of her team, to the thousands in public squares across the island, the entire country stood still to witness the clean sweep of the event.
Bolt ran a season-best 19.32 seconds while Blake was timed at season-best 19.44 and Weir, a personal best 19.84.
The Prime Minister told reporters that she prayed for the athletes just before the race
“I had been saying for this race, one two three. All I would like to say to the team, on behalf of a grateful nation, I say thank you to our athletes,” said Simpson Miller.
“I said a quiet prayer, I prayed for the three Jamaicans. This is very good for the country and our sportsmen and women, whether they medaled or not they made Jamaica proud.”
She added: “This is a golden opportunity for Jamaica and the Ministry of Tourism to use the kind of love and support that our Jamaican sportsmen and women got in London, to advance the cause of Jamaica.”
And the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) also extended congratulations to Bolt, Blake and Weir.
“The PNP is beyond itself with excitement as it extends congratulations to Jamaican athletes Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir who took their place among the greats in history when they claimed the gold, silver and bronze for Jamaica in the men’s 200m Olympics finals …” said party chairman Robert Pickersgill.
“It was indeed a historic moment as Usain Bolt successfully defended his title, recapturing the gold medal in 19.32 secs and Yohan Blake’s continued top performance has rewarded him with yet another silver medal in a time of 19.44 secs.
“The Party is ecstatic about the performance by the now legendary Warren Weir who took the bronze in a time of 19.84 secs a personal best.”
In his message, leader of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Andrew Holness said Bolt, Blake and Weir were the toast of the world.
“Usain Bolt has written yet another chapter in the annals of track and field and sporting history,” said Holness.
“So emphatic is the stamp he has placed on the sprints at the Beijing and London Olympics, that there can be no denying that Bolt has cemented himself as a legend of the game and a true exponent of sporting genius.”
The Opposition Leader also encouraged Jamaica’s athletes to remain standard-bearers of excellence.