Athletes' parents to be honoured

MARK CUMMINGS, Observer West senior reporter Thursday, August 28, 2008

FALMOUTH, Trelawny - The Trelawny Parish Council says it will pay special tribute to the parents of this parish's native athletes who represented the country in the just-concluded Olympic Games in Beijing, China, at its regular monthly meeting in September.

At the same time, according to a press release, the council will also honour the parents at a special Civic function at Albert Town Square in the parish, on Heroes Day, October 20.

Athletes whose parents are to be honoured include: Olympic gold triple medallist, Usain Bolt; 200m gold medallist Veronica Campbell Brown ; 4x 100m gold medallist Michael Frater and Ricardo Chambers.

"A lot of focus has been on the athletes themselves, but without the parents we would never have any athletes. Some of these parents have gone through many sacrifices so they are worth recognising," Colin Gager, the mayor of Falmouth and chairman of the Trelawny Parish Council told the Observer West.

"The planned functions are intended to show the parents that their work is greatly appreciated and should be commended," he emphasised.

He said at the Civic ceremony, the parents will receive plaques and framed citations.

Meanwhile, Gager said that the athletes from the parish who participated in the Olympic Games, will also be given special recognition by the council.

A special committee has been established under the leadership of mayor Gager to organise a special welcome-home function for them.

"The planning for this function is now in its preliminary stage, as the Trelawny Parish Council will have to await the return of the athletes to the island, before announcing a date for the welcome-home ceremony," the mayor said