Usain Bolt says goodbye to Jamaican tracks
The triple Olympic champion of the 100 and 200 meters thanked his family and his followers for his successful career.
With fireworks and a tribute from authorities and thousands of fans, sprinter Usain Bolt played his last race in his native Jamaica before retiring from the competition this year.
"I was not expecting this," an excited Bolt told reporters after running the 100-meter race called "Tribute to a Legend" as part of the JN Racers Grand Prix held Saturday night at Kingston National Stadium.
The triple Olympic champion of the 100 and 200 meters thanked his family and his followers for his successful career. Bolt are scheduled to retire definitively from the tracks after this year's World Championships in Athletics in London.
Fireworks lit up the sky over the stadium as around 30,000 attendees cheered Bolt as the greatest sprinter of all time crossed the finish line.
"We are here to pay tribute to what he (Bolt) has contributed to the sport and this country," Prime Minister Andrew Holness said during a pre-race ceremony.
Coach Glen Mills, who has accompanied Bolt in his successful sports career, handed the sprinter a trophy. He explained that the recognition is "from the entire family of runners. Long live Usain! ".
Bolt, 30, is the only rider to have won gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter races at the same time in three consecutive Olympics. He still holds the Olympic and World record in both events.
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