Top award for Walcott

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC:Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott will receive Trinidad and Tobago's highest award as the twin republic celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence.

Walcott, who became the country's second Olympic gold medallist, will be presented with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for his service in sport.

The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was established in 2008, replacing the Trinity Cross as the decoration for distinguished and outstanding service to the country.

Walcott threw the javelin a distance of 84.58m in London to become the first non-European to win the men's javelin since 1952.

The world junior champion at 19 threw a national record with his second attempt, beating Oleksandr Pyantnytsya of Ukraine and Antti Ruuskanen of Finland.

His triumph was only the second time Trinidad and Tobago won gold at the Games, following Hasley Crawford's success in the 100m at the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

Walcott, 19, was given a massive homecoming and rewarded with gifts from the government, including £100,000, a new home, 20,000 square feet of land and a lighthouse named after him.