Sherwood Content marks Bolt victory with motorcade

WESTERN BUREAU:

"Usain today significantly proved he is a living legend, as no other has and did so in fine style," was the sentiment from Lillian Bolt, Usain's aunt, after the tall Jamaican fulfilled his promise of not only retaining his Olympic 100m title, but by cementing his place in history as the greatest sprinter ever.

She danced, pranced, sang and laughed with total abandon as Usain Bolt dashed to the line in a new Olympic record of 9.63 seconds, placing him ahead Yohan Blake, 9.75, and American Justin Gatlin, 9.79, in third.

The occasion was not lost on Ms Bolt.

"That's my boy. You know the amount of yam and dumplings me cook fi you?" she asked rhetorically.

Moments before the race, she took up position to watch her "favourite athlete" and remained glued to the television set and never budged until it was clear Usain was in the lead, gradually building her excitement level as the Jamaican pulled ahead to retain his Olympic title and crown himself in glory yet again.

Power cut

Further down the road from Ms Bolt's home, a large crowd gathered to view the race on a big-screen TV at the Waldensia Primary School, but just as the momentum was building towards the start of the race, they lost electrical power, robbing them of the chance to see their hometown hero in action.

That, however, and a sudden downpour of rain failed to dampen the spirits of the residents, and soon after the race was completed they poured out on to the streets in wild celebration, with the blowing of vuvuzelas, clanging of pot covers and waving branches to shouts of "Bolt! Bolt! Bolt!", before going on a motorcade to Falmouth and nearby Duncans in Trelawny before returning to Sherwood Content.

"Usain is a legend. He is a great Jamaican and he is also huge in Ireland where I am from," said Darrock Gannon, a tourist who joined in the celebrations.

"And this being Jamaica's 50th year of Independence from Britain and to have achieved this in London is fantastic for the country," Gannon added.

Inside Lillian's house blared a tune few would know of 'Lightning Bolt', which was done by Montego Bay-based artiste, Mackie Conscious.

Bolt's aunt, arguably his biggest fan, said she had no doubt about the outcome of the race, especially in the heats, where he won pulling away from the field.

"It's a great feeling to know he did this again. In Beijing, he was great. In Berlin, he was even better, but it is in London that he became a living legend."

- Paul Clarke