ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, Aug 14, CMC – Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell has described the Olympic achievements of Kirani James and Bralon Taplin as “a defining moment” in the country’s history.
The 23-year-old James failed in his bid to repeat as 400 metres champion but clinched silver in Sunday night’s final at the Rio Olympics which was won by South African Wayde van Niekerk in a new World record of 43.03 seconds.
Taplin, meanwhile, finished seventh in the final in 44.45, and his outing marked the first time two Grenadians appeared in a final of an Olympic track event and the only second time at a global championship, following James and Rondell Bartholomew’s outing in the final of the one-lap at the 2011 World Champion-ships in Daegu.
“Today is a defining moment in the history of Grenada. The world is once again taking notice of this little gem of an Island in the Caribbean Sea,” Mitchell said in statement on Sunday.
“An entire nation is jumping for joy … as Kirani and Bralon have raised Grenada’s profile in an unprecedented way.
“As Kirani crossed the finish line in a time of 43.76 to secure a silver medal and Bralon Taplin finished in a time of 44.45, we knew that the face of our nation has been indelibly changed.”
James had secured the tiny island nation’s first ever Olympic gold at London 2012 when he captured gold and he again put the country on the world stage with another impressive run. Taplin, a recent emergence, won his semi-final in 44.44 to book his spot in the final.
“This is a great day, not only for Kirani, Bralon, their families and communities, but for all Grenadians, at home and abroad, as well as West Indians worldwide,” said Mitchell who was expected to return here early Monday from weekend engagements in Trinidad and Tobago.
“It is also a victory for the youth of Grenada, in that it shows the tangible results of hard work, dedication, discipline and focus.” Mitchell said the achievement ranked as one of the proudest moments of his tenure as Prime Minister because of the “collective happiness and pride that Grenadians feel”, and said he would be in discussions shortly over “fitting celebrations” to mark the duo’s achievements.
