Usain Bolt Gets Jamaica’s Fourth Highest Honour

Following his super human performances at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China and the World Championship in Berlin, Germany, along with other outstanding displays of athletic greatness, Usain Bolt was today awarded his country fourth highest honour “The Order of Jamaica”.

This was announced in the Jamaica Parliament this afternoon (September 15) by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who said the award was among a list of honours to be bestowed on the star athlete by the Government and the people of Jamaica.

Bolt who lowered both his 100 and 200 metres World records at the World Championship earlier this year, will be styled “The Honourable Usain Bolt O.J., C.D.       

In making the announcement Prime Minister Golding had this to say”I have advised the Governor General to confer on Mr. Usain Bolt, Commander of the Order of Distinction, and Order of Jamaica for his outstanding achievements as a Jamaican at the highest level of international athletics”. 

The Prime Minister said that Bolt will become the youngest recipient of the Order of Jamaica. Bolt is now 23 years old.                

Mr. Golding also announced that Bolt will be made an ambassador-at-large for Jamaica with full diplomatic status. Another honour to be bestowed on the World and Olympic Champion is the re-naming of Highway 2000 to the Usain Bolt Highway. Bolt, who cut short his running engagements for the remainder of the year, complaining of being tired, arrived home in Jamaica on Monday for much needed rest.                                                                          

Meanwhile the Jamaican Prime Minister has said that all of the country’s athletes who performed well at both the Olympic Games and the world Championships will be honoured at a special ceremony to be held in October.