Golding said Bolt's extraordinary performance for Jamaica had earned him the right to be called "ambassador" with full diplomatic privileges, including a diplomatic passport.
 
Highway 2000, linking several of the Caribbean island's key cities, will be renamed the Usain Bolt Highway and the runner will be given Jamaica's fourth highest national award, Golding announced in Parliament.
 

Golding said: "I have advised the Governor General to confer on Mr. Bolt the Order of Jamaica for his outstanding achievements for Jamaica at the highest level of athletic competition."

The Order of Jamaica entitles members and honorary members to wear the Insignia of the Order as a decoration, be addressed as "honourable" and use the post nominal letters "OJ" (members) or "OJ (Hon)" for honorary members.

Golding said: "His endearing personality, charisma and passion for his country make him a superb ambassador of Jamaica."

The prestigious national award has only previously been given to three of the country’s sporting personalities, female sprinter Merlene Ottey and cricketers, Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh.
 

Bolt, who smashed world records in the 100 metres in 9.58sec and the 200m in 19.19 at the World Championship in Athletics in Berlin last month, returned to Jamaica on Monday after a grueling international season.

At 23, he will be the youngest recipient of the Order of Jamaica.

The link between St. Catherine and Clarendon parishes, which will soon be renamed Usain Bolt Highway, is the same one that the sprinter was involved in a car accident last April .

He suffered minor injuries and his BMW was a write-off.

No date for the name change was given.


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