Bolt, Fraser-Pryce among four set to be immortalized
The Jamaican Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has commissioned the production of statues of track and field athletes, in honor of their contribution to the development of Jamaican track and field.
Statues will be completed and erected of track and field stars Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Asafa Powell over the next two years.
The statues are to be mounted at the National Stadium Statue Park in addition to the development of the stadium complex which includes the National Sport Museum.
Sport Minister Olivia Grange said the first two statues, the ones of Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, will be completed in time for the Jamaica 55 Independence celebrations next year, and the statues of Veronica Campbell-Brown and Asafa Powell will be completed the following year.
Renowned Jamaican artist and sculptor. Basil Watson, who sculpted the statue for international Jamaican track icon Herb McKenley, will sculpt the statues.
This Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16 will feature numerous celebrations for the Rio heroes. Friday’s activities will open with a reception hosted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on the lawns of Jamaica House followed by the Rio Sports Gala and Awards Ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday. The event will be broadcast and streamed live over the Internet.
The activities will culminate on Sunday, October 16 with the Jamaica National 5K Run/Walk fundraiser in aid of charities in western Jamaica and is sponsored by the JN Group and supported by the Usain Bolt Foundation.
