October 12, 1993, was treated much like a holiday as hundreds of Jamaicans took a break from their daily lives to celebrate the World 200m champion, Merlene Ottey. The importance of her return home was not only marked by the delay of the prime minister's visit to Trinidad, but also by motorcades and tours that were scheduled in her honour.

Published Wednesday, October 13, 1993

Ottey gets hero’s welcome

 PM appoints her Ambassador-at-large

WORLD 200 metres champion Merlene Ottey came home in triumph on Tuesday, October 12.

Following a tumultuous welcome at the Norman International Manley Airport, she rode through the streets of Kingston in a great motorcade, greeted by hundreds of Jamaicans who lined the streets to give her a hero’s welcome.

As a crowning accolade for her glorious career as queen of the track, she received the national honour of being appointed an ambassador for her country.

 Her glory day was climaxed with a reception in her honour at the National Arena where ministers of government and other dignitaries led a capacity crowd in paying tribute to the Jamaican sprint champion.

Jamaicans in other parts of the island will have their opportunity to see and cheer the athletic star on October 13 and 14 when she visits Montego Bay today and renews her acquaintance with her old schools at Rusea’s in Hanover and Vere Technical in Clarendon.

Her arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport was the signal for a great outpouring of affection for her and rejoicing at her success on the field of sport.

Airport workers, security men, and others jostled with officially invited guests for a clear view as Merlene Ottey, dressed in a lime-green jacket with a black camisole and black skirt, emerged from the Air Jamaica flight, which touched down on time at exactly 9.30 a.m.

 Hundreds of people, many waving Jamaican flags, crammed the waving gallery to get a glimpse of the athlete who has brought so much joy to the hearts of so many Jamaicans.

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson; Leader of the Opposition Edward Seaga;  former Prime Minister Michael Manley; Commodore Peter Brady of the Jamaica Defence Force; and Colonel Trevor MacMillan, police commissioner, headed the official party that welcomed her home.

 Joining in the welcome were her mother, Mrs Joan Bowen-Ottey, Jamaica Olympic Association head Mike Fennell, Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association president Teddy McCook, and other members of the Ottey family.

 She was immediately whisked to the VIP Room where Prime Minister Patterson announced that Ottey, long considered an informal ambassador of Jamaica, had been appointed with immediate effect an Ambassador-At-Large.

 Diplomatic passport

 She was presented with a diplomatic passport, and Mr Patterson announced that the instruments of appointment will be handed to her when she pays a courtesy call on Governor General Sir Howard Cooke on Friday afternoon.

 As an ambassador-at-large, Ottey will be accorded special privileges and be officially addressed as Your Excellency. However, according to sources close to the Government, she has not yet been assigned any specific duties.

 In announcing the appointment, Mr Patterson, who delayed his flight to Trinidad and Tobago in order to welcome the world champion, said Ottey’s homecoming had generated among our people an outpouring of national affection and a spontaneous sense of community sentiment seldom witnessed in the history of our country.’

 Her commitment, fixity of purpose, and pursuit of excellence had served as an example for all Jamaicans, he said, and had added a new chapter to the records of outstanding achievements by Jamaicans in the field of international athletics.

 Obviously overcome by the welcome, Ottey, in her reply, said it was during the World Championships that she came to the full realisation that she was loved dearly by the Jamaican people.

 In promising to give back some of what she has learnt to the young people of Jamaica, Ottey said her message will be one that will not only motivate students to do well in sports, but also to excel academically.

 A hectic schedule will take her to Rusea’s Comprehensive High School on Thursday, October 14, and Vere Technical on Friday, October 15. She is a past student of both schools.

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