Headlines:
| ODs among awards conferred on athletes at Gala |
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| Saturday, 04 October 2008 | |
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Despite the inclement
weather, the National Sports Gala honouring Jamaica's Olympians started as planned
at the National Stadium. The Gala forms part of the week long celebration in honour of Jamaica's historic 11 medals haul including 6 gold at the games of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China. The event started with the award ceremony during which athletes and sporting personnel were conferred with national honours and awards. Howard Aries, President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association, was conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD) in the rank of commander class, for service in the promotion of track and field in Jamaica. Triple world record holder Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Asafa Powell, coach Glen Mills and 1976 Olympic 200 meters gold medalist, Donald Quarrie, were also conferred with the Order of Distinction. Nester Carter, Brigette Foster-Hylton, Shelly-Ann Frazer, Michael Frater, Danny McFarlane, Dwight Thomas and Melaine Walker were each presented with Medal of Honours. The National Sports Gala will be followed by religious service and gospel concert at Emancipation Park on Sunday starting at 5pm. |