Fanfare as Bolt statue to be unveiled in Florida

The city of Miramar in South Florida is getting ready to host two events in July to celebrate eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt - a fundraising banquet on July 14 and, on July 15, the unveiling of the life-sized bronze statue which will be installed at the Ansin Sports Complex.

Jamaican-American Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis told THE STAR that "Usain is really excited about the events".

The banquet, which will be held at the Miramar Cultural Center, has three tiers of tickets priced at US$150, $250 and $500, and the event flier calling persons to "Meet the fastest human in the universe!"

"There will be a silent auction, cocktail hour and live entertainment. It will be a wonderful evening which we anticipate will be well supported," Davis said, adding that the proceeds are earmarked for the Usain Bolt Foundation and Do The Right Thing of Miramar.

She added, "Then the following day, Saturday, July 15, we will have a mini clinic at the sports complex which will see races by young, aspiring athletes and Bolt will be present to give advice and do the start. [Trinidadian Olympian] Ato Boldon will be there to do some commentary. And, of course we will unveil the statue."

Artiste Basil Watson was commissioned to create the sculpture in Bolt's signature 'To di World' pose, but instead of standing, the record-breaking athlete will be kneeling on one knee. Davis said that the pose has nothing to do with making statements, it "was just to make this one different from the one in Jamaica".

The US$250,000 (approximately $38.25 million) statue had an original completion date of October 2022; however, Davis said the delay had nothing to with lack of funding.

"The project was delayed because Basil Watson was doing the Windrush statue and he was even living in England for a few months. This project is funded by Art in Public Places and Art in the Parks, so very little is coming from the public purse," Davis said.

When the statue was announced, initially there was pushback from some who voiced the concern that the $250,000 spend was "a waste of taxpayers' money", as Miramar was not attracting international tourists.

"Usain Bolt is an international athlete and he deserves to have a place at our park," Davis told THE STAR. "Our sports complex has a Mondo track, just like Atlanta and we host a lot of international track meets. Bolt is going to be an inspiration to everyone who sees his statue in our park."

"I proposed the Art in Public Places ordinance to be able to promote art throughout the city. The sculpture of the international and world-renowned track and field athlete will be funded in part by the Art in Public Places Fund as well as the Art in the Parks capital project."

Davis said the sculpture of the world's fastest man "will spur on economic development and serve as an inspiration for up-and-coming athletes of all ages and backgrounds".

The construction of Bolt's statue in Falmouth, Trelawny, is now under way, and has irritated some Jamaicans.