September 15 - Jamaica has announced that it plans to hold a three-day national celebration to mark the success of the country's athletes at the World Championships in Berlin last month and there is set to be a special reward for Usain Bolt (pictured), who won three gold medals in the German capital.


The country's Prime Minister Bruce Golding is expected to confirm in Parliament in Kingston today that Bolt will have a road or building named after him in recognition of his performances in Berlin, where he set world records in the 100 and 200 metres for the second consecutive year and helped Jamaica's 4x100m relay team to victory.

Jamaica's Sports Minister Olivia Grange said: "The Prime Minister will be making an announcement and at that time the information that we will convey to Parliamentarians will be, I'm sure information that he [Bolt] will welcome."

Bolt returned home last night - where he was met by his brother Sadika - after finishing his season with victory in the 200m at the World Athletics Final in Thessaloniki on Sunday.

But many of Jamaica's other World Championship medallists are still competing on the international circuit which is why the celebration will not take place until October 2-4.

Jamaica finished second overall in the medals table in Berlin behind only the United States with a total of 13 medals, seven of which were gold.
 
It surpassed even their total at the Olymics in Beijing last year when they won 11 medals, six of them gold, when they had finished behind the US and Russia.
 
This year's celebrations will include a church service and will be concluded inside the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium with a concert, which could feature an international female singer.

Grange said: "We tried this year not to have an elaborate celebration, but a celebration that is befitting and that will truly recognise the achievements of our athletes."

Bolt, meanwhile, is planning his own special celebration.

An events company have been hired to put on what is described as a "super-party".

Norman Peart, Bolt's agent, said: "The concept is a 9.58 [the time of Bolt's world record for the 100m] super party on the weekend of December 3-5 to include local and international sports and entertainment stars.

"The event will have great entertainment value and also will be used as a major contributor to a few of the charities Usain support."