Walker returns home

Jamaica last night welcomed home Olympic 400-metre hurdles gold medallist Melaine Walker as government ministers and other officials threw a grand ceremony for the athlete in the VIP Lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport.



Sports Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange was on hand to welcome home Walker after she touched down aboard an American Airline flight at 6.45 p.m.



Walker was also met at the airport by David Mais, chairman of the state-run Sports Development Foundation, Howard Ares, president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association and Anthony Davis, Director of Sports at the University of Technical.



Walker was responsible for one of six gold medals for Jamaica at last month’s Beijing Olympics in China.



The Government is planning to stage four days of celebration to honour the athletes for their achievements. The celebrations are to commence on October 3, at which time all the athletes should return home.