Asafa Powell may not be on his winning streak these days, but the Jamaican government  wants to ensure that he still enjoys the glory of being an Olympian. 

Sports as you know is a very ungrateful career and the minute you are not bringing home the gold, the same adoring fans who yesterday carried you on their shoulders, are the same ones who are quick to pull you from your pedestal.  This is of course is the current case of the former ‘fastest man in the world’ Asafa Powell, whose golden boy status has been eclipsed by the outstanding performances and the charisma of double Olympics gold medalist Usain Bolt. 

Well with the euphoria of Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora, as we bask in the glorious performances of our Olympics team, the government has emphasized Powell will be fully involved in all celebrations for the Olympians. A committee is now being formed to determine the nature of, and plan a major welcome home reception for the Olympics team on their return from the Beijing games. Prime Minister Bruce Golding will chair the committee, in the absence of Minister of Sports Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange who is heading the delegation to Beijing.  

The committee will also be asked to identify a special way for the country to honour and memorialize the tremendous performance of the Olympians.  Mr. Golding said the athletes have performed far beyond expectation and that this is a reminder of just how powerful and talented Jamaicans are and what we are capable of doing.   

He said the historic performance of Jamaica’s athletes at the Olympics goes beyond just a sport event as it has brought Jamaicans together once again and reminded us that not only are we one people, but also  just how powerful we are and what we can achieve.  “It is a moment that must not be lost.  It is a moment that must be consolidated and invested for the long term good of Jamaica,” 

Mr. Golding noted that it is important that Asafa Powell not be left out of the glory, as he was the one to break the 100M world record to become the fastest man in the world. He went to say that the Government’s position is that it must be fully demonstrated and patently clear that Asafa still enjoys the love and admiration of the Jamaican people. 

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister personally congratulated Usain Bolt and Melaine Walker on their victory in the men’s 200 metres race and the women’s 400 metres hurdles respectively.  He said he was very impressed with Melaine’s humility. “She took her victory in stride and it was almost as if she was grateful for the chance to do something for Jamaica,” Mr. Golding said.  In congratulating her, he said Jamaica was even more grateful for what she had done by winning the final of the 400M hurdles.