Coe delighted to celebrate Bolt among Jamaicans
PRESIDENT OF the IAAF Sabastian Coe said despite his busy schedule, he is happy to be in Jamaica to see sprint superstar Usain Bolt compete in his last race on home soil.
Coe, who along with his son, Harry, arrived in the island yesterday, also lauded Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills, for his outstanding contribution to the sport over the years.
“It’s never a sacrifice to spend time in Jamaica, and I am so pleased to be here today (Friday). I am also delighted to be among close friends,” said Coe following his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.
“I have got to know all of you extremely well in the last few years,” he said.
Coe added that Bolt has done a great deal for the sport and so deserved all the honours that he has received.
“This is an extraordinary career that is coming to a close and we are very excited, of course, that career will close fittingly in a World Championships stadium and if you look at his record everywhere and everything he is done, he has been the first and the best,” Coe said.
HELP IN DEVELOPMENT
Coe, who won four Olympic medals, including the 1500m gold medal at the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984, said Mills has done a lot in helping to develop the sport of track and field.
“I am the product of world class coaching, I owe a lot to my coach, my father and the teams that he put together. I know that there will be many, many wonderful and quite fitting things to say about Usain over the next few days, but let me just place on record my thanks to you, Coach Mills,” added Coe.
“Behind every great athlete, there is a great coach, and we are particularly proud, Coach (Mills), that you have been a part of the IAAF family since 2006, where you have been working for us and with us, and helping us understand and promote the status of coaching,” Coe stated.
“Coaching under my watch at the IAAF will always be accorded the highest status,” he said.
Coe was met yesterday at the airport by Minister of Sports Olivia Grange, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association Mike Fennell, Dr Warren Blake, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association; and coach Mills