Stadium named in honour of Bolt stirs mixed reactions in Barbados

Photo: Usain Bolt (AP)

The newly built sports complex at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, in Barbados has been named in honour of Track and Field legend, Jamaican Olympic and World Champion the Honourable Usain St Leo Bolt.

But this announcement has been met with mixed reactions with several persons saying that the complex should have been named after an outstanding Barbadian athlete such as Olympic bronze medallist Obadale Thompson, fellow Olympian Jim Wedderburn or other distinguished ‘Bajan’ sports personalities.

The critics have prompted the Principal of the campus, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, to come to the defense of the University’s decision saying that the university is not a Barbadian institution but a West Indian facility hence the decision could be made based from a Barbadian, Trinidadian or Jamaican perspective.

He also cited that the decision to celebrate the achievement of the West Indian ( Bolt) was not a move to undermine any Barbadian sports personality.

The triple record holder is receiving such an honour for the second time following the naming of the stadium at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica, where he currently trains with the Glen Mills led, Racers Track club.