What sets Jamaicas pulse racing

Till the time the emcee announced his name and brought to everyones notice that the fastest man on the planet was in attendance.

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Till the time the emcee announced his name and brought to everyones notice that the fastest man on the planet was in attendance,he was just one of the 7000-odd spectators who thronged Kingstons National Stadium on Friday night. Dressed casually in a yellow tee-shirt and sporting a black cap,Usain Bolt had been camouflaged in the burgeoning mass that flooded the grandstand,busy soaking in the thrilling atmosphere at the Jamaican National Athletics Championships.

To be honest,it didnt seem like Bolt,who wasnt participating as a result of already having qualified for the World Championships,was required to electrify the atmosphere at the arena a gigantic structure which stands out commandingly in the Kingston city skyline. The action on the field had been frantic,and had kept the crowd buzzing at fever-pitch.

There had been another major sporting event earlier in the week,a Test match between the West Indies and the No.1 ranked team in the world. But not more than 4000 spectators had turned up,overall during the four days it lasted at Sabina Park. The sight of bare empty stands in the most populous cricket stadiums in the Caribbean was appalling,though not surprising.

How can you expect us to fill the stadium if a Test match starts on a Monday? You think all of us will get offs from our offices for the cricket? asks a spectator named Stephen,who harnesses an equal interest in cricket and track-and-field.

Back at the National Stadium,the excitement levels continued to rise rapidly. Bolt had been busy in between,signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans. There was never a sense of superstardom in his demeanour though. He readily spoke with anyone who approached him,even exchanging warm embraces with a couple of fans. He soon parted ways,deciding to catch a closer view of what all of Jamaica had been waiting for the mens 100m final.

It wasnt just former three-time world record-holder Asafa Powell who received a rapturous welcome. The soaring interest for track-and-field became evident as each one of the eight competitors were cheered for vociferously when their names were announced. Sitting inches away from the field,even Bolt seemed to be preparing for the action,nervously loosening his limbs.

For 30 seconds,there was a pin-drop silence it was demanded for. Off went the trigger,and the arena erupted. The race saw a photo finish,and it was Yohan Blake,Bolts training partner,who urged the crowds to believe he clinched it. Bolt couldnt supress his elation and galloped towards Blake before replays showed that it was Powell who had pipped his junior by the barest of margins. Powells night of redemption saw the loudest cheer of the evening,but it wasnt long before Bolt was hounded by the media. By the end of the night,the king of speed was back being the centre of the worlds attention.