Bolt - file

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

PRESIDENT OF the Trelawny Chamber of Commerce, Dennis Seivwright, wants a statue of Usain Bolt to be erected in Falmouth Water Square.

Seivwright made the call after Bolt's exploits at the Beijing Olympics, but had not stressed the point because the sprinter had just come to prominence. On the weekend he, however, said that with his performance in Berlin, Bolt has reached legendary status and deserved the honour.

"A person does not necessarily reach legendary status simply by years, but by achievement and Bolt has arguable surpassed any other athlete on the world stage," he said.

No need to wait

Seivwright added that as statues of living legends have been erected before, including at the National Stadium, there is no need to wait.

Reacting to Seivwright's suggestion, Falmouth Mayor Colin Gager said: "At our next civic committee meeting, we will be discussing this. I am in total support of it."

Member of parliament for North Trelawny, Dr Patrick Harris, said he felt it would be a wonderful idea, the logistics of which could be worked out.

Senator Dennis Meadows, who is responsible for the Jamaica Labour Party in North Trelawny, said: "I would support that 100 per cent; I made the call in Parliament for the Greenfield stadium to be named after him, therefore I am in total support."

Other locations suggested

MP for South Trelawny, Marissa Dalrymple-Philibert, said: "He has done great for brand Trelawny on the world stage and I would support such a venture."

While many support the placement of such a statue at Falmouth Water Square, some are suggesting other locations such as the highway adjacent to his former school, the William Knibb Memorial High School. They say it should be as big as the Emancipation Park statue in New Kingston and lit at nights.

For now, the parish is still basking in the success of its three athletes who ran in the men's 4x100 gold medal relay. They are Steve Mullings from Perth Town, Michael Frater from Ulster Spring and Bolt from Sherwood Content.