"I am this close to being fit for the relays," is what Asafa Powell (left) seems to be saying to Usain Bolt at his birthday party.
Most global stars celebrate their birthdays with the finest champagne and cuisine. For super athlete Usain Bolt, a bag of sweets and some chicken nuggets do the trick! The star celebrated his 23rd birthday on Friday at an exclusive reception at the Berlin, Berlin Hotel in Berlin, Germany.
The function, staged by Jamaica's Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange was attended by Usain's parents Wellesley and Jennifer Bolt, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and the star's teammates and management team including sprinters Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Dwight Thomas and team officials Donald Quarrie, Glen Mills, Dr Winston Dawes and Howard Aris.
Lucky supporters
Several lucky travelling Jamaican supporters also made the guest list to the event which had athletics stars from other nations offering to pay big money to get in.
Bolt was relaxed as he clowned about with his parents and had his teammates in stitches.
With characteristic force, he blew out the candles on the massive birthday cake which bore the inscription, 'Happy Birthday, Our Golden Son'.
He was presented with a package of a week's vacation at the exclusive Round Hill Resort for him and his family by Bartlett.
Grange presented the star with a copy of Judge Patrick Robinson's book 'Jamaican Athletics: A Model for 2012 and the World'.
Long jumper Alain Bailey and team media liaison Cathy Rattray-Williams, who were also celebrating their birthdays received holiday packages from the Ibero Star Hotel in Montego Bay, St James.
Guests were treated to a fine buffet of Caribbean-styled finger food and a selection of exotic fruits.
Bolt relaxed with his guests as Jamaican music pulsated throughout the lobby of the hotel which hosts all the athletes and officials competing at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics.
Earlier in the evening, guests inside the Olympic Stadium sang happy birthday to the King of Athletics as he collected his gold medal and cheque for another record-breaking performance in the 200 metres.
JIS
Usain Bolt blows out the candles on his birthday cake in honour of his 23rd birthday on Friday. Seated to his left are his parents Jennifer and Wellesley Bolt and Jamaican team media liaison Cathy Rattray-Williams, who was also celebrating her birthday. - JIS photos