The Reverends William and Cislyn Powell are the proud parents of Jamaica's track star, Asafa Powell. But he is more than a star in his parents' eyes. They painted a picture of a son whose ambitions and dreams they share.

As a child, Asafa was quiet and shy. "We understand him and so we coped with him," his mother said.

The youngest of six boys, Asafa would entertain himself. His mother told a story how, as a young boy, Asafa made a little cart and drove himself around in it.

Shyness

As an adult, he is known for his shyness. That is a quality that has been with him since boyhood. His shyness sometimes concerns his dad who admits to praying for the track star that he might overcome this disposition, especially during the Beijing Olympics.

Mother Powell fondly remembers his loving nature and his willingness to do chores around the house.

"He was very helpful and could fix things. If the light went, he could fix the light. He's very sensible," she said.

Asafa wasn't a troublemaker, his father said. "I don't remember beating him. If he was in trouble, he'd say, 'Daddy, wha me do now'?"

Asafa, his dad proudly disclosed, has always been honest and open in discussing any subject with his parents. His son, he said with pride, is a good boy and has goals.

As much as the travelled road hasn't been smooth for Asafa, it hasn't been for Daddy Powell either. The elder Powell spoke of the time when his spirits sank. It was the final of the 100 metres for men at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

"I don't know why ... it seemed like there was so much pressure on him. It was the saddest time of my life," said Powell.

When Asafa doesn't do as well as hoped in important races, his parents try to understand where he is coming from. "You can't kill a man when something goes wrong. You have to just let him be," the father said.

Prophecy

When Asafa left Charlemont High School in St Catherine, according to his dad, he wrote a bit of a prophecy in his school's yearbook. "He wrote that he was going to be the fastest man in the world."

These are the things that the Powell parents always remember while they encourage their son to be a champion.

Aside from track and field, Asafa's interests includes mechanics, business and cars - especially cars.

"He loves that (cars)," Father Powell said, clasping his hands and nodding.

Car for Dad

Asafa once told his mother that he wanted to buy a Pajero for his dad. His father recounted the story: "His mother said, 'Where are you going to get the money?' and he said, 'I'm going to run'."

Well, the clergyman did not get his Pajero. But he quipped, "I got a CRV ... the Honda parked outside."

The husband and wife co-pastors encourage the people in their Angels community in St Catherine to support their offspring, especially by praying and keeping the faith.

"I am very proud of him and we're excited," Mrs Powell said.

According to Powell, the time to celebrate Asafa's success is still yet to come.

"We know at the appointed time, people will be ready with pan and everything to knock. We'll just wait on that day," he said.

Bolt

WESTERN BUREAU:

Sticking to the adage of not sparing the rod and spoiling the child, was the disciplinary pillar on which Wellesley Bolt raised his son Usain, and this has helped to shape the young man into an outstanding son of Sherwood Content in Trelawny.

,b>Focused on goals

Having been brought up in an era when it was mandatory that every child be disciplined, the elder Bolt knew he had to inculcate wholesome values and attitudes in his son from an early age.

"I told him always 'Remember, it is important to have manners to older people' and to be focused on his lifelong goals," he said.

Usain Bolt, the world's 100 metre record holder, received his share of floggings.

Bracing his back against a column as he sat on a stool in his grocery shop, the father of the track star recounted the challenges he had raising his son. He also remembers the cheerful moments he shared with Usain, then a toddler, including the funny little things the youngster would do to amuse his mom, Jennifer, who is now in China cheering him on as he seeks to create memorable history at the Beijing Olympics.

The elder Bolt recalled: "He (Usain) was not an easy child to raise in the beginning. He was quite hyperactive, running and climbing. I was fearful that one day he would run out into the road. I thought something was wrong (with him) so I took him to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor told me there was nothing wrong with him."He remembered the doctor's words: "Later days you will see what is wrong." Bolt laughed. "I am seeing it today."

Whipping

At age 12, Usain started acting like a 'normal' child and never presented many challenges to his parents. Like any child, however, he would, from time to time, disobey his father's instruction.

On one such occasion, he went to a games room although he was told not to. He was given a fine whipping.

Usain's mother left all the disciplinary actions up to his father. She would, sometimes, hide some of the mischief that Usain got entangled in. It was probably natural for her to do so, as Usain is the only child that the union has produced.

"Usain told me he knew I was a strict father, but asked me not to pressure him."

But the elder Bolt thought that, as a father, it was imperative to be his son's role model and, therefore, ensured he went to church and avoided bad company.

The track star's father said it was crucial for him to have remained in his son's life to mould him in the right way, and he believes that every father should set that example.

"I am a proud father today. He is doing so well and has raised the family profile. It is a great feeling, but simultaneously it has put me under overwhelming pressure to keep up with the many requests, calls and interviews," Bolt said.

Reflecting on the country's high crime rate, Bolt said if children were trained in the right way, it would be hard for them to go astray.

More comfortable

Days before the running of the 100-metre race at the Olympics he spoke to Usain.

"I spoke to my son two days ago and told him I was quite nervous about him running the 100 metres. I told him I know that's his weakness because he has a slow start and he cannot allow his competitor to outrun him. He said 'Dad, just watch me, I am going to run it. I am now more comfortable'."

Bolt says he will be closing shop and will be glued to his television set on the days Usain will be running.