It was an overwhelming experience for Trinidad and Tobago's Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott as thousands of supporters lined the main road from Arouca to Toco on Monday, waiting to catch a glimpse of their hero at the head of a motorcade following his arrival from the London Olympic Games. For some, the blazing sunlight turned into a cool night but they remained undaunted, waiting for many hours for the 19-year-old javelin champion of the 2012 Olympics to acknowledge their support.
Walcott, who was greeted as a returning hero at Piarco Airport just before midday, arrived in Toco after midnight. This was after enduring a 13-hour flight from London's Gatwick Airport to Piarco. After the ceremony at the airport, he went on a nine-hour motorcade to Toco on the tray of a truck. Alongside him were his parents, Beverly Walcott and Endy King, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Sports Minister Anil Roberts.
Other Government officials, including National Security Minister Jack Warner, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh and Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Dr Lincoln Douglas, followed on another truck. Remaining calm, Walcott waved to his admirers who lined the Eastern Main Road from Lopinot Junction, Arouca, to Hamburg Village in Toco. A visibly exhausted Walcott arrived at 12.15 am yesterday at the Toco Composite School, where many had congregated for a function planned for much earlier in the day.
In a short interview, Walcott said he intended to return to school to further his education and pursue his sports career. However, he could not say when. Asked what was his next step, he simply said: "Rest." While his next javelin competition is carded for next year, Walcott said the Olympic experience was great.
He said: "Well, as you can see, it was a great experience. I won gold. Everything went well although the place was a bit boring but other than that everything was good. The people were friendly, the facilities were great and I really enjoyed it." Commenting on his gifts from the Government for his record-breaking achievement, he said:
"I am just thankful for everything. I really was not looking for all the gifts. So I am just thankful for what I have received. When I? was over there (London), I was told by the other 2008 medallists it would be crazy so I was kind of premeditating in my mind but it still has not caught up to me as yet.
"I am thankful for the support. The people came out... I am guessing like nine hours... because we took really long to come up here, so I am just grateful they came and we are going to celebrate with them." Addressing supporters who had to squeeze into the school auditorium and corridors, Persad-Bissessar announced another reward for the champion in addition to those revealed at the airport. She said the school from which Walcott graduated will be renamed the Keshorn Walcott Secondary School and its facilities will be improved.
This comes in addition to her promises made at the airport that Walcott will receive $1 million cash to invest; a $2.5 million house in Federation Park, St James; 20,000 square feet of land near his Trois Roche Village home and a scholarship at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. The Toco lighthouse will also be renamed after him and a CAL aircraft will carry his name.
Persad-Bissessar added that the Housing Development Corporation would build a housing development in the area which she said would create much-needed jobs and provide homes for at least 100 people. She added those were only some of the gifts the Government had in store for Walcott. When Walcott took the podium, he expressed his gratitude. He said: "Firstly, I'd like to say good morning. I apologise for being late, it was my fault. I just want to say to thanks to everyone.
"Thanks to the ministers for all their hard work. Thanks to the people who came down to the airport and made that long, long, journey to Toco to have this function. "I just want to say thank God for everything. I thank my parents, I thank my coach and I would just like to thank all the people for their support. Thank God." The event ended at 2.40 am with a ten-minute fireworks display at the school grounds Shortly after, people started the long journey out of Toco.