Kirani is on track

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Parent Category: Aug 2011

Category: Week ending Aug 13th, 2011

Published on Sunday, 14 August 2011 17:37

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The Grenada Government has extended congratulations to quarter-milers Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew on their recent performances at the Samsung Diamond League athletic meeting in London. James, who was competing in his first professional race, ran a world leading time of 44.61 seconds to win the men’s 400m at the Aviva London Grand Prix in Crystal Palace last weekend.

The 18-year-old 400m sensation produced one of the most outstanding performances in the London Diamond League meeting. James blitzed a quality field to produce the fastest time in the world this year - in what was his first ever professional race. His extraordinary display - allied to this week’s news that former world and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner will miss the Worlds in Daegu with injury - will install him as both gold medal contender and new star of his sport.

In destroying the field, the local quarter miler left the big name Jermaine Gonzales almost a quarter of a second back and the near sell-out crowd leaving the famous old stadium in Britain with a new name on their lips. James later told BBC Sport: “I’m feeling really good, and this shows I’m on course for Daegu. I just went out there and tried to improve on my time, and that’s what I did.”

Prior to this stunning run, Rondell Bartholomew, who was the previous world leader from his early-season 44.65 seconds from the Texas Tech Open on April 2, finished seventh in 45.86 seconds. It means that Grenada now has the top two fastest athletes over the 400m so far this year. The Government’s commendations to the athletes were conveyed by Sports Minister, Patrick Simmons who has been following the progress of the national athletes.

“On behalf of the Government and People of Grenada I would like to congratulate Kirani and Rondell who continue to fly our flag internationally,” he said. “We are confident that our athletes are in line to bring home medals from the World Championships of Athletics starting later this month and London Olympic Games in 2012.” “My hope is that their performances today will encourage and motivate other Grenadian sportsmen and women as they prepare for upcoming sporting events,” the Sports Minister said.

Last week, both the Sports Minister and his Permanent Secretary, Veda Bruno-Victor, who is also the General Secretary of the Grenada Olympic Committee, updated nationals at home and abroad about the plans in preparing the athletes and other sports representatives for the London Games. The Sports Minister also said that the government is close to finalising arrangements for the refurbishment of the track and field stadium at Queen’s Park. Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for St. John, former Energy and Environment Minister, Michael Church issued the following statement in recognition of Kirani’s success:

“Kindly extend on my behalf to the parents of Kirani and all our proud citizens of St. John and Grenada my delight and pleasure at Kirani’s performance at the Samsung Diamond League at Crystal Palace. “His superb performance on his professional debut must bring a joy to us that certainly transcends that which we had hoped to get from our carnival.

‘I have no doubts that there are many more outstanding achievements ahead of him. His brilliance and genius wrapped in modesty will forever be the signature of our Gouyave pride. “Kirani has given us even more reason to celebrate our carnival with good measure, common sense and accomplishment.

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