On Friday the official handing over ceremony of Usain Bolt’s Reugopol track by BSW Regupol Sports Floors took place at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus . The track is almost an exact replica of the one on which he broke the 100 meter record in Berlin last year and similar also to the 2008 Olympic track in Bejing where he catapulted to super stardom.
Usain making his entrace to the ceremony.
UWI Principal Prof. Gordon Shirley holding a piece of the track donated by Ulf Poeppe of BSW.Photo source
The blue and white eight-lane track is located to the north of the university's other main sporting facilities, namely, its four football fields, the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Ground, three tennis courts, a swimming pool and an indoor court. The university intends to create a Sporting Centre of Excellence, similar to that of the Australian Sports Academy.
The next phase of planned developments include a 6,000-seat mini-stadium with lighting, a football academy - in partnership with the Jamaica Football Federation - and a Caribbean Institute of Sports Medicine.
Ulf Poeppe, Prof. Gordon Shirley, Minister Babsy Grange and Usain take front row on stage.
Usain Bolt and yours truly:-)Minister of Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, who along with Bolt, UWI principal, Professor Gordon Shirley. Shirley, DSW’s Ulf Poeppe, IAAF regional representative, Neville 'Teddy' McCook, UWI director of sports, Grace Jackson, and Bolt's coach, Glen Mills were all on hand for the official ribbon cutting. Many notables in the sports world were present including FIFA reps, Adidas Reps, Puma, Courtney Walsh, Racers Track team members were present as well.
Minister Grange, Prof. Shirley and Usain Bolt along with Racers Track Members in the inaugural run!Photo source
I must mention Captain Horace Burrell (Head of Jamaica's Football Federation) who arrived via helicopter in the middle of Professor Shirley's speech. That was entertaining to say the least. Usain's Coach gave a very entertaining speech. It was full of gratitude and sincerity but most of all light-hearted and filled with humour. One thing that was missing from the festivities, was recognition was not paid to the UWI Students who have been living next door to this construction zone. As a resident on Rex Nettleford Hall, it has not been easy dealing with all the dust, so a show of appreciation would have gone a long way. We do see the big picture though, and I am sure most if not all UWI students are happy for this addition.
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