Bolt statue to be unveiled during Heritage Week

Sports Minister Olivia Grange with a maquette of Usain Bolt statue at the Spanish Court Hotel in June..

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has announced that the unveiling of the statue of Usain Bolt will take place on Friday, October 13, at the National Stadium.

Grange said the unveiling will follow a reception in honour of the track and field athletes who went to the World Championships in August. While the reception is a private event, Grange extended an invitation to the public to attend the unveiling ceremony. “The public is invited. We’re asking that they come out early and give Usain all their love and appreciation, and to get the first look at the life size statue that will be unveiled of Usain Bolt. And I know they will not be disappointed,” she said.

The bronze sculpture was designed by renowned Jamaican sculptor Basil Watson. The statue of Usain Bolt is the first of four statues of national sports stars that were commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport under the Jamaica 55 Legacy Programme.

The reception for the World Championship team and the unveiling of the Bolt statue highlight activities for the celebration of Heritage Week, a week the minister said will be massive. A National Reparations Youth Baton Relay organised by the National Council on Reparations has been planned with Dr Julius Garvey (son of National Hero Marcus Garvey) listed as a participant.

Additionally, The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the National Library of Jamaica and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust are organising a series of activities in every parish.

The ministry also has plans to stage a Heritage Concert, dubbed ‘From Kete to Reggae’, set for Saturday, October 14, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.