By Vernon Daley, Staff Reporter
Stewart and Bolt
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson yesterday announced scholarships for the island's athletes who medalled at the IAAF-Coca Cola World Junior Championship, which recently concluded at the National Stadium.
Additionally, all those who participated in the championship and who are still in the local school system, will be given Government assistance to complete their education.
For those who won gold medals, the Prime Minister said the Government would be doing "something special" for them. This will be announced at a later date.
"We are going to be looking at what we can do, because talent of that kind must be encouraged," the Prime Minister during yesterday's sitting of the House.
Jamaica came away from the event with 11 medals - two gold, five silver and four bronze - surpassing the nine medals won in 1992 in Seoul, South Korea.
The quartet of Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Anneisha McLaughlin and Simone Facey picked up gold in the 4x100m relay, while 15-year-old Usain Bolt took the gold in the boys 200m race.
Opposition Leader Edward Seaga said the Government should give further assistance to athletes who are awarded scholarships to go abroad.
According to him, unless the scholarship is exceptional, it normally only deals with tuition and boarding and not other things such as books and incidentals.
"What is necessary is a scheme of supplementing scholarships," Mr. Seaga said.
He added that a special team of persons should be put around young track and field star Bolt to give him proper guidance in all areas of his life.
