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Thank you and well done!... UWI-Racers applaud athletes

Published:Friday | October 21, 2011 | 12:00 AM
University of the West Indies principal, Professor Gordon Shirley (second right) greets Racers Track Club athletes Yohan Blake (left), Jermaine Gonzales (second left) and Usain Bolt shortly before the staging of an awards ceremony staged by the university for their accomplishments as members of Jamaica's track team at the recent World Champion-ships in Daegu, South Korea. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer



Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

The University of the West Indies (UWI) and Racers Track and Field Club yesterday celebrated their success over the past year with an awards ceremony in front of the Undercroft Building on the UWI, Mona campus.

The ceremony, which was attended by a number of university dignitaries, including principal, Professor Gordon Shirley, saw both institutions offering awards to their athletes and officials, who were outstanding at 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, and the World University Games in China.

These include World Championships 200m gold medallist Usain Bolt, World Championships 100m gold medallist Yohan Blake, World University Games 110m hurdles champion Hansel Parchment, and World University Games 200m silver medallist Jason Young.

"We are pleased to have our athletes doing well on the international stage, and to have a partnership with Racers, and this ceremony is just to say congratulations for doing us proud," said Shirley.

"It is a partnership that is relatively still in its embryonic stage, and for us this is the start. We are expecting bigger and better things in years to come, with athletes from the university going on representing the country on the world stage, and Racers athletes continuing to show the world what they have to offer.

"I want to say thanks to the university and Racers for honouring us in this way, as it shows that our efforts are appreciated," said Bolt, who along with Blake gave acceptance speeches.

"It's also a good motivation heading into the 2012 season, as this season is going to be a wow season, where I and no doubt the other athletes will be giving their all again."

Sprint programme

In delivering the main address, Racers coach Glen Mills said his organisation was pleased with the strides made so far.

"We believe we have the best sprint programme in the world for men, and in the not-so-distant future we hope to make it also for women," declared Mills.

Others awardees: Athletes - Jermaine Gonzales, Allodin Fothergill, Rosemarie Whyte, Davita Prendergast, Shareefa Lloyd, Mario Foresythe, Marvin Anderson, Josef Robertson, Nikiesha Wilson, Ristannana Tracey, Schillonie Calvert, Wilbert Walker. Racers officials - Glen Mills, Bertland Cameron, Gavin James, Everald Edwards. UWI officials - Grace Jackson, Michael Clarke, Fitz Coleman, Dr Gwyn Jones, Vilma Charlton, Rashid Hall, Kerry-Lee Ricketts.