Jamaican music and culture have always been part of the persona of track and field superstar Usain Bolt.That is the thinking behind a musical salute to the world record holder at his final track meet in Jamaica, the Racers Grand Prix, set for the National Stadium in St Andrew on Saturday.
Usain Bolt
Under the theme ‘A Salute to the Legend’, Dennis Gordon, public relations specialist for the Racers Track Club, told the Jamaica Observer that the organizers needed to find a creative way to say thank you to Bolt.
“What better way than music?” Gordon asked. “What we have done is put together a medley of songs which speaks best to the different stages and accomplishments of this great Jamaican athlete, from his days at Boys’ and Girls’ Champs to his exploits at the Olympic level.”
“Just before he arrives inside the stadium Freddie McGregor’s Born A Winner will ring out inside the stadium. Once he alights from his vehicle and walks through the guard of honor, Dennis Brown’s Here I Come will play. A number of other tracks and musical moments will follow. However, I cannot reveal too much at this time as it will be a surprise for the ‘Big Man’ himself,” said Gordon.
Freddie McGregor
Once Bolt has run his race and does his lap of honor, there will be a concert featuring dancehall stars Beenie Man, I-Octane, and Ding Dong.
Considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time, Bolt is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100m and 200m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016), a feat referred to as the “triple double”.
Bolt’s love for Jamaican music and dance was evident after he won his first Olympic gold medal at the Beijing Games in 2008. The lanky athlete performed the popular dance Gully Creeper, on the track in China, much to the delight of a global audience. Since then his dance moves have almost become a signature and eagerly anticipated by audiences.
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