Bolt returns home

Jamaicans crowded the Norman International Airport in Kingston yesterday to celebrate the return of Olympic champion Usain Bolt, who pointed to the sky in his signature victory pose as he emerged off a Virgin Atlantic flight.



Bolt, who won three gold medals at the Beijing Games last month, was greeted by dignitaries including Prime Minister Bruce Golding.



The 22 year old sprint sensation left the Airport in a spanking-new BMW convertible to join a motorcade, where he was taken to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.



Prime Minister Golding said the crowd that came out to greet Bolt during the motorcade route to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel was the biggest he has seen since the visit of Nelson Mandela in 1990.



Prime Minister Golding further said the government would commemorate the Beijing success with a big celebration during the first week of October.



Bolt gained the attention of the world during the Beijing Olympics when he became the first runner in 24 years to capture the sprint double.



Additionally, Bolt established new World records in both events and helped to set another in the 4x100-metre relay, as he took his third gold medal of the meet.



He has spent the last two weeks competing on the European circuit where he was unbeaten.