Usain BOLTS through Sherwood Content

KERIL WRIGHT
Thursday, September 25, 2008



Triple Olympic gold medalist, Usain Bolt, sure knows how to have himself a grand time - on and off the track.
Easily the star of his homecoming celebrations held on the weekend at his alma mater, the William Knibb High School in Trelawny, the 22-year-old partied the night away alongside an impressive line-up of Reggae/Dancehall stars and leading street dancers.

Whether he was just horsing around onstage or displaying a mastery of the popular street dances he made world-famous in Beijing China, the young track hero showed he was indeed just a young man having the time of his life.

A 10, 000-strong crowd turned out Saturday to welcome the fastest man alive with thunderous applause as he entered a stage set up on the grounds of his old high school. Shouts of "Bolt! Bolt! Bolt!" punctured the air as he "Gully Creeped" his way onstage, before launching into his traditional "Lightning Bolt" pose.

Dubbed the Usain Bolt/Hart Hill Homecoming Celebrations, Saturday's revelry was sponsored by David Phillips of National Meats and No Joke Entertainment. It included a fun day at the Waldensia Primary School, which he attended as a child.
Bolt joins street dancer Ding Dong (2rd right) and his crew in a display of the now world-famous dance move 'Nuh Linga'.


Bolt joins street dancer Ding Dong (2rd right) and his crew in a display of the now world-famous dance move 'Nuh Linga'.

The concert brought together the likes of Diamond-selling Shaggy and counterpart Rick Rock, Richie Spice, Kiprich, D' Angel and upcoming female artistes Timberlee and Tifa, Nesbeth, Twins of Twins and Tony Matterhorn.

Dancers Ding Dong of the Ravers Clavers dance group and Ice, creators of Bolt's favourite dance moves "Nuh Linga" and "Gully Creepa"- were a major hit, participating in a 30-minute set onstage with Bolt participating at every turn.

A number of acts billed to appear at the event did not show up, but this in no way dampened the party spirit as fans who filed onto the grounds of the high school from as early as 7:00 pm celebrated into the wee hours alongside Code Red and Copper Shot, well after the concert had concluded.
In attendance were aunts, cousins and other family members of 22-year-old.

The event also saw the announcement of the Usain Bolt/Hart Hill Early Childhood Initiative, with Phillips pledging the first $1-million toward the fundraising project, being set up to inject much needed finance into Early Childhood Education.

The star athlete was also presented with a sculpture of him in his traditional "Lightning Bolt" pose.