ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda government has named the country’s history-making sprinter Daniel Bailey a Sporting Ambassador and given him land for his unprecedented achievement at last month’s IAAF World Championship in Berlin, Germany.
Bailey became the first athlete from his country to contest an IAAF World Championship (senior) final when he placed fourth in the high-profile 100-metre event that Jamaican Usain Bolt won in a stunning world record of 9.58 seconds.
“I will advise Her Excellency the Governor General to officially appoint you as one of our new Sporting Ambassadors, conferring on you the title of Your Excellency,” Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer told the 22-year-old during an elaborate homecoming ceremony for him on Sunday.
In the historic World Championship 100-metre final on August 16, Bailey clocked a fast 9.93 seconds, a mere 0.02 seconds outside his own Antigua and Barbuda national record, as he came in behind Bolt, American Tyson Gay (9.71) and Jamaica’s former world record holder Asafa Powell (9.84).
In front of a large gathering during a recognition ceremony at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket (SVRC) Stadium, Spence also announced that government is handing over half an acre of land to Bailey.
“I would like to take this opportunity to once again commend Daniel Bailey for his performance and to officially announce my government’s decision to acknowledge your performance by way of a gift of half an acre of land which we hope will serve as a symbol of our pride to you and successive generations,” Spencer announced.
“What you have accomplished in a matter of months for Antigua and Barbuda, no large sums of money could have produced such recognition for Antigua and Barbuda. You are truly an Ambassador for this great nation of ours.” Spencer acknowledged that Bailey has now entered the country’s elite in sports.
“You have joined the ranks of star athletes such as our National Hero Sir Vivian Richards, Richie Richardson, Andy Roberts, Maurice Hope, Curtly Ambrose and the list goes on,” Spencer said.
There was a welcoming ceremony for Bailey on his arrival – from Europe — at the VC Bird International Airport Sunday followed by the recognition ceremony in the evening at the SVRC Stadium.
Prime Minister Spencer hailed the young athlete’s effort and urged him to strive for even greater heights.
“We applaud his outstanding achievements and encourage him to go for the gold.”
Spencer used the occasion to pledge his government’s support and commitment to facilitating the growth of sport and recreation in the country.
“The series of events which began earlier this afternoon represents our nation’s, our people’s, high regard for the outstanding performance of our own people. It is also indicative of our government’s commitment to the promotion and development of sport and recreation. “This commitment derives from our knowledge that sport and recreation serve to build
our nation and are an essential part of our efforts to improve the quality of life of all,” he said.
“I believe that our sports men and women, including those who are here today, must see themselves as we see them, as a crucial component part of our narrative of national progress,” he added.
Bailey, who also placed fourth at the 2004 IAAF World Junior Championship in Italy, had gone to Berlin as one of the medal favourites, having clocked a national record 9.91 – then the world’s fourth fastest time this year — for the runner-up spot to Bolt at the Paris Golden League meeting in July.
As many as five Caribbean athletes contested the Berlin 100-metre final and among those finishing behind Bailey were Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson (fifth) and Marc Burns (seventh), both from Trinidad and Tobago.
