Bolt buries his dad. Government dubs him a national asset
Global sprinting icon Usain Bolt buried his father Wellesley in Jamaica on Sunday, telling his mom that he would take care of her for the rest of his life. At the same time, the Jamaican government finally designated him as a national hero and asset.
“I just want to say to my mommy, ‘Mom, I’m here for you fully,” a tearful Bolt told a packed Adventist Church service in the northern Trelawny Parish.” I’m now your husband and your child, so just know the support is here. You’re gonna get tired of me now because I’m gonna be a lot more in your life.”
When it was his turn to pay tribute, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, facing general elections in a matter of months, wasted little time telling the nation that “Usain is a global icon, a national hero, a national asset.”
His announcement has come amid debates about why the man who had placed Jamaica on the world map as much as fellow countrymen like Bob Marley had not been so designated during his active days or since his retirement in 2017 after the World Championships races.
Local media reports that the governing Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) had skillfully avoided designating him as a national hero alongside other giants like Black activist Marcus Garvey, independence fighter Norman Manley, and Paul Bogle, who had played a significant role in ending slavery in Jamaica.
Asked to elaborate on the government’s latest designation of Bolt, PM Holness told reporters, “Usain is a hero. No one has to think about that.”
Holness also tries to comfort Bolt, his grieving mom, Jennifer, and other close relatives by telling them, “I want to say to you, Usain, the entire nation mourns you. The entire nation embraces your family and surrounds you with prayers at this difficult time.”
“Usain also said that ‘whatever I am today, it was because of my parents. He gives credit to his parents. It is not easy to be a world champion, and I am certain that it would have taken Usain’s village to raise him to become this world champion, but it all started in the home,” the prime minister said.
Bolt’s Dad, Wellesley, died at the end of March after a prolonged illness. The sprint icon has credited his dad with steering him away from football/soccer to the tracks where he became the greatest sprinter. He thanked the nation for its support following the death.
“Thanks, everybody, for the prayers, and the love, and the well wishes and everything. I’m happy to see a big turnout. And thanks to all the ministers for coming and supporting me. I feel the love, and I appreciate it. I just want to say, ‘Pops, don’t worry. I have Mommy now,’ so thank you very much,” he said.
