The honouring of Usain Bolt with the Order of Jamaica brings to light the lack of mature thinking in this country. Don't get me wrong; I am not objecting to recognising this great man's achievements as an individual athlete. But why so hasty in doing this? Should this not wait until he has advanced a little bit more in his career and the achievements having more impact on his fellow Jamaicans.

I revel in his great exploits, but have reservations on such an award. Was this a case of ensuring that "we are the person's who did this" for political reasons?

I am of the strong belief that for one to get these awards, individuals must perform at this high standard consistently for a number of years and exhibit the behaviour on and off the field of play so we all can look up to them as models with exemplary attitudes that can be evaluated over a number of years.

- Dennis Rogers

denwan@hotmail.com

Proud of Bolt

Kindly allow me space in your newspaper to express my views on the accolades being bestowed upon our son of the soil, Usain Bolt. As a teacher I feel very proud to know that a young man has represented Jamaica internationally on a positive note and is recognised by his country for the hard work he has put into something he enjoys doing (running). Often our youths are mainly highlighted for the wrong they have done within the society and here comes a young man who shows that all is not lost.

I hope many of our young people will recognise that they too can achieve greatness in any area of study or aspect of their lives they wish to pursue. To Bolt I say, keep on keeping on; there will be days when you might feel like you are in the valley, but remember, there will also be days that you will feel like you are on the mountain top. Son of the soil, I wish you well.

- Sandra Brown

sanbrown1969@yahoo.com

Olympics in Jamaica?

Since the Olympics in Beijing, China in 2008, our Jamaican athletes have been getting a lot of recognition. They also made us proud in the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.

Many of us who would love to see our athlete live in action have to be watching from our television screens in our homes or in Half-Way Tree square because we don't have visas. As a Jamaican, I would love for us as a small nation to be able to host the Olympics someday, but how can we do so if we don't have the facility to accommodate such a huge gathering?

Surely, people from all over the world would love to be here to cheer for their country. Many of us Jamaicans have never been off the island and may possibly will never get the chance to travel. But as Glacia Robinson sings in one of her songs, "It's not over now, this is not the end" there is still hope for us.

- Chynn Richards, Belvedere Road