A kiss from mom for Usain Bolt after his gold-medal performance.
Warren Weir surrounded by Jamaican fans after his silver-medal run in the 200m finals.
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Andrew Harris, Gleaner Writer
'Miss Kitty' of media fame led the chorus, a big-screen television courtesy of Digicel, brought the images, and scores of Jamaican brought the vibes to West Parade in downtown Kingston, which erupted yesterday as Jamaica captured gold and silver in the 200m men's finals at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow.
The deafening cheers of shoppers, passers-by, vendors, and even members of the police force there to ensure order, echoed as Usain Bolt, Warren Weir and Nickel Ashmeade entered the starting blocks.
With vehicular traffic brought to a standstill, persons ran from side to side to get that right vantage point.
"Me a look fi one, two, three and nothing less," declared Nardia, a shopper who forgot her back-to-school shopping as the race was about to get under way.
The starting pistol fired and the cheers of the crowd became louder and louder, as Bolt, Weir and Ashmeade made their way off the curve seemingly set to capture all the medals.
"Just straight Jamaica to the world, is only Jamaica can do it, we are number one," shouted a vendor from West Queen Street.
Ashmeade just failed to medal despite a valiant run, but that could not dampen the party spirit as Bolt and Weir danced up a storm in Moscow.
"The race turn up and me did a expect a easy one, two, three but we proud same way, big up Usain Bolt to the world!" said a man who gave his name as 'Sugar Daddy'.
"I was really looking for one, two, three, and big up Bolt and Weir, dem mek we proud!" declared Sasha, another shopper who stood watching the race as the crowed cheered.
For several minutes after the 19.66 seconds that Bolt completed the race, West Parade remained a big dancehall as Jamaicans celebrated another superlative performance from our athletes.
andrew.harris@gleanerjm.com
