Bolt farewell!
Racers Grand Prix to be track phenom’s final foray on local soil
It is set to be a farewell unlike any other, as a number of the world’s finest athletes will converge at the second staging of the Jamaica National Building Society (JN) Racers Grand Prix to “Salute a Legend” – Usain Bolt on June 10.
When the gun goes at 6:30 pm for the first event on what is expected to be a memorable night at the National Stadium, it will be a bittersweet sensation for fans, who will turn up to witness Bolt in his final competitive race on local soil.
Leading the all-star cast in the tribute to Bolt, who will retire from competition after the London IAAF World Championships in London, August 4-13, are Kenya’s 800m world record holder David Rudisha; Mo Farah, the most successful British track athlete in modern Olympic Games history and South Africa’s 400m world record holder Wayde Van Neikerk.
Rudisha is the first and only person to ever run under 1:41 minutes for the 800m, holding a record of 1:40.91 set in 2012 London Olympic Games.
“I am excited to come to Jamaica for the Racers meet; I know this is going to be a good meet and I know Jamaica is big in athletics and has a lot of fans and I am looking forward to coming there,” Rudisha said in a video played during the launch at the Jamaica Pegasus yesterday.
Mo Farah is the second man in history, after Kenenisa Bekele, to win the 5,000m and 10,000m doubles at successive Olympics and World Championships, and the first in history to defend both distance titles in both major global competitions – a feat described as the “quadruple-double”.
“I am really looking forward to coming to Jamaica (as) it’s going to be my first time in Jamaica and sharing with Usain Bolt. I am very excited. Looking forward to some jerk chicken…yeah mon,” Farah said in his clip.
Van Niekerk, who produced a breath-taking performance at last year’s Rio Olympic Games with a record-breaking 43.03 run, also expressed delight about making a return to the meet, along with compatriot Akani Simbine.
Americans Tori Bowie, Christian Taylor, Dalilah Muhammad, Jenna Prandini and Francena McCorory and Blessings Okabare of Nigeria and Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson have also been confirmed.
Jamaica’s own stars Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell, Warren Weir, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Javon Francis and World sprint hurdles champion Danielle Williams will also be on show.
Glen Mills, president of Racers Track Club, appealed to sponsors, the Jamaican public and the world at large, to join Racers in paying homage to the greatest that has ever graced the arena of track and field.
“Racers Track Club is extending an invitation to all Jamaica and the rest of the world to join us in a celebration to honour the legend Usain Bolt,” said Mills.
He continued: “Never has there been one so charismatic, dynamic, dominant, brilliant and one so fast to grace the lanes of the world’s arena.
“The greatest sprinter of all time; a true Jamaican patriot will take his final stride and the Racers Grand Prix provides the opportunity for a nation to show its love and appreciation for 15 years of international glory pride and joy given to us by the indomitable Lightning Bolt.
Bolt, 30, the triple world record holder in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay, has been instrumental in putting the Racers Track Club on the global map.
At the inaugural meet in 2016, Bolt, who stumbled out of the blocks, recovered and won in 9.88 seconds ahead of Nickel Ashmeade (9.94) and his Racers Track Club teammate Yohan Blake (9.94). Former world record holder Asafa Powell finished fourth in a time of 9.98s.
“We have demonstrated what we are all about; anyone who was at the 2016 meet see what the standard that we aim to achieve is and this year we are going to surpass that because we are honouring one of Jamaica’s greatest sons. It promises to be bigger and better,” Mills ended.
A total of 21 events will be contested, 17 of which will be of international status. The women will compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 100m and 400m hurdles, as well as the triple jump and high jump.
The men will lock horns in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 3,000m 110m and 400m hurdles, as well as the triple jump and shot put. Four development races will also be contested.
Admission to the JN Racers Grand Prix is $6,000 for Grand Stand finish line and $3,500 for other areas of the Grand Stand, while patrons will pay $1,000 to access the Bleachers. Tickets for the Grand prix will go on sale online on May 1