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ALL HAIL RYAN!
Excited fans surrounded Ryan Brathwaite's motorcade as it passed through Bridgetown yesterday. (photo by Cherie Pitt)
Published on: 9/18/2009.
by BARRY ALLEYNE
RYAN! Ryan! Ryan! Ryan! Ryan!!
The cheers were deafening. The support brought on goose bumps.
The Broken Trident stood steadfast yesterday, as Barbados turned a shy 21-year-old country boy from Hillaby, St Andrew, into a national sporting icon with a welcome-home party for the ages.
He is this country's first and only world champion of track and field.
And yesterday, Ryan McDonald Brathwaite was showered with adulation, love, kisses, a red carpet, and even tears of joy, as the top hurdler returned to his island, his metamorphosis from child prodigy to professional athlete complete.
A special committee had been working 24/7 since the quiet boy from Hillaby shocked the world in Berlin, Germany, on August 20, winning the 110-metre hurdles of the Track and Field World Championships.
It all bore fruit yesterday.
Bajans engulfed Grantley Adams International Airport to see their hometown hero arrive, then lined the streets to put up their blue, yellow and black, and finally paid special tribute to the sprinter during a never-before-seen welcome home party at Kensington Oval.
During a special address at the Oval, Prime Minister David Thompson hailed Brathwaite as this country's new shining light, then presented him with a special gift.
"2012, here comes Ryan Brathwaite. You will want for nothing on your journey to the 2012 Olympics in England," the PM said, as he promised Brathwaite the Government would provide anything he needed to help him physically or spiritually in his preparation for 2012.
He also dubbed him an official ambassador for Barbados - "His Excellency Ryan Brathwaite" the Prime Minister called him.
Brathwaite also received numerous gifts from corporate Barbados, headlined by 12 000 square feet of land in Farmers, St Thomas, from C.O. Williams and Company, shares in Williams Industries and a 2010 Nissan X-Trail jeep, courtesy of Courtesy Garage.
Yesterday's celebration, including the showering of praise and the many gifts, at times seemed to leave the unassuming 21-year-old in awe and partially speechless.
Still, he was able to address his subjects: "To be the world champion is a dream come true. But I am even more proud now to be a Bajan," he said to deafening applause as the final speaker at the Oval.
The world champion had touched down at 1:03 p.m. after his eight-hour trans-Atlantic flight.
Moments after being greeted by a welcoming party on the tarmac, which included his parents and Acting Minister of Sport Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner, and admitting he was suffering from a migraine headache, Brathwaite got an idea of the size of his welcome-home celebration.
"I'm delighted to be the gold medal winner. I'm very happy about it," he said as tears streamed down his proud dad Eugene's face.
In a short ceremony in the Grace Adams Suite, president of the Amateur Athletic Association Esther Maynard said this day had been prophesied five years ago.
"You have done us proud. We hope you will be an inspiration to others, to see that it is possible with talent and dedication, you can reach the pinnacle of world sport," she said.
First vice-president of the Barbados Olympic Association, Ralph Johnson, was moved to tears, as he pleaded with corporate Barbados and Government to finance programmes and provide resources which would produce more Ryan Brathwaites.
Sandiford-Garner, who also hails from St Andrew, commended the young sprinter on his meteoric rise in his pet event.
"We have an incredible human being here. Christmas has come early in the form of Ryan. This can further stimulate in Barbadians a sense of pride. It is a triumph for our nation," she said.
Long before his Virgin Atlantic flight from London hit the runway at Grantley Adams, the airport was abuzz.
Then, during a 30-vehicle motorcade of Navaras that left the airport and passed through many communities along Highway 7, the young and old desperately tried to get a touch of the young star.
Upon arrival at the Oval where thousands more had gathered, the real celebration began.
19 comment found!
: 9/25/2009
Good advice from Rev Massiah to Mr Brathwaite. Remember that same people that praise you today will out you down tomorrow. And he should know,he is a follower of a goodly gentleman who was fetted on a Sunday,and next Friday was nailed to the cross.
: 9/20/2009
Congratulations to an excellent job by Ryan Brathwaite. I am happy to see that he was celebrated and I wish him success in the years to come. I wish to see him stay focus as Liu and Robles are definitely going to be working hard too. I am very proud of him. I met Ryan a few years back when he stood alone trying to make it...not a sponsor backed him..he like all the others who are shunted by sporting authorities struggle to prove their worth. As usual, everyone comes out and is asking for all this support for athletes. Don't you guys know that the first thing we have to do in sports in Barbados is to get rid of the nusiances at the BOA and the NSC if sports is to thrive in this island. These two associations are corrupt and they indulge themselves and friends and they have shown over and over how litle they care for the many talented sports people out there. Look at all the problems in the National Associations - and this has not yet been addressed by the NSC and the BOA who reign with the same sloppy attitude and using excuses that this work is volunteer work. If it is and you can'te be a good volunteer ...go home...cuz as volunteers you get a lot of dam benefits. So before asking corporate Barbados to put out money ....sort out the NSC and BOA and put persons in places that can take talent forward. They have failed to do so for too long. Sports and talent in Barbados is only remembered when the sweats of the talented wins fame. After Oba we heard all the long talk about helping athletes...what happened? Give Ryan's parade a few weeks to settle and see what happens.
Stay Focused Bro !!! : 9/19/2009
Ambassador Ryan, congratulations on your outstanding achievements. We as a nation both locally and internationally are proud of you; thanks for putting Bim on the map again. In the months to come when the crowds have gone and you are back to training in poor weather conditions, etc. There will be those wondering whether these performances can be repeated. This is where the real work begins, the psychological work. Keep up the good work, stay focused, keep your goals ahead and with the help of God, we look forward to seeing you on the olympic podium. Let no one steal your dream!!!! God bless and stay focused bro.
Ryan's Acheivements : 9/19/2009
This was such a great moment for me as a Bajan,I came home for luch,Tune in to the arrival as Ryan got of the plane,I even took pics of him as he got off,what a moment!It was so moving watching our Golden Boy as he walked on our soil,congrats again Ryan & we wish you all the best in 2010,May God continue to bless & strenghten you.
WELL DONE RYAN: 9/18/2009 : 9/18/2009
WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORKS MY FRIEND. WE ALL LOVE YOU. BAJAN MISSISSAUGA. ONT. CANADA
: 9/18/2009
His Excellency Ryan Brathwaithe, Well done you have made Barbados more than proud!! UWI( Cavehill) Student
Alway proud : 9/18/2009
I has always been proud of Barbados and its prideful people. No one in the world talks about pride move than Bajans. Other say that it is destructive. They are wrong. You see with Bajans it is not only important to win, but to win the right way. If Ryan had done this because he had "dope" in his veins, it would equal knot. Pride would not let a warrior dishonor his country and more importantly himself by cheating. Thanks again Ryan. Hold on to your pride and you will always give your best (win, loose or draw).
ALL HAIL RYAN! : 9/18/2009
Wow!! His Excellency Ryan Brathwaite...now that is something, I'm so proud of you Ryan, all your hard work has paid off and this motivates and encourages you to achieve even more. I'm happy that the government of Barbados gave you a king's welcome and you deserve everything you received and more. Good work, keep it up, give thanks and praises to God and be strong
Big up Ryan : 9/18/2009
oh why did we not put some flags on that motor,so plain for the occassion. Any way big up Ryan.
: 9/18/2009
Reading this brought a fulfilling feeling through my body. Moments like this make me extra proud to be a Bajan. Well done, Ryan. You deserve the accolaides.
Ryan's Journey : 9/18/2009
Bajan's all over the world are proud of your. Special blessing and prayers from Brooklyn NY
All Hail Ryan : 9/18/2009
Congratulations to Ryan...you have done yourself and your country proud. I am happy to see that the government and all barbadians are proud of your success and have taken the time to celebrate.........Once again Congratulations
Proud : 9/18/2009
Well deserved!!!!Hard work pays off....I to am proud to be a bajan. Caribbean athletes are beginning to shine. I remember I was in my office in Jamaica when Ryan won the 110 metre hurdles and everyone rejoiced the same way as when Bolt won the 100m. Everyone came and said "congrats wanna win one" An i beamed from ear to ear just because he was bajan and had done well. I hope the supports remains for Ryan and other up coming atheletes.. "Ryan tuh de wurl"
: 9/18/2009
Hi must say congrat to ryan and looking forward for this and much bigger celebration again in 2010. by gods help.THANK YOU.
Good job Ryan : 9/18/2009
It is good to see a Bajan boy in the news in a possive way good job Ryan way to go I am also shock to see no one has made any comments about this good that has been done
: 9/18/2009
Congrats Ryan! Wish you all God's blessings in the olymics and I also congratulate all Bajans, we really did a great job in welcoming him home and showing him our appreciation for his efforts and success! Congrats again Ryan, enjoy your celebrations now as you will soon get back to working hard again. Your parents did a good job, they deserve a big appaulse too.
You deserve everything Ambassador Ryan : 9/18/2009
Ryan Brathwaithe is deserving of everything he has received this far and more. I hope now that corporate Barbados, the Government and our people will support atheletics to the maximum. I hope that we all will see the importance of sports as a herald that can bring immense prestige and pride to our land. I think through Ryan we are now seeing that for the moment. Now is the time to pump millions into sport. Now is the time for Barbados to create sporting camps with immaculate facilites that foster to the development of pet events from the time children could walk until they reach the peak of development. We need developmental programmes in schools from early ages so those that are perceived gifted can be taken out of the primary school, place in a special atheletics school that will cater primarily for atheletic development (and academic learning as well), be now established. Our thinking must now go beyond our box-in and crab barrell mentalities to seeing the bigger picture. We should not be waiting so long to produce a world champion; we should be facilitating the development of talent unto the progression of producing world class atheletes for championship status. Now is the time to move. Now is this the time to wake up. Now is the time to put our money where our mouths' is. Now is the time!!!
Ryan the King : 9/18/2009
And to think that some comments posted felt that closing school for 1/2 a day was not justified? This kid deserves a week of celebration. I was glad to see that the PM honored him, that the school children lined the streets and the adults celebrated the occasion. I am in tears at 5:30am in Hartford CT for Ryan and Bim. Just a final note. They closed school (in I think 1966: I was 5 yrs old) for the Queen's visit and asked everyone in Barbados to welcome the Queen and I guess that was respectful. I am not taking anything away from the Queen of England, Good for her. Well close school for a week for King Ryan. Young man you are the King of the world in your event. My wish is the God continues to bless you and that you be the champ in 2012.
: 9/18/2009
This was such a momentous occasion. I sat at work at my desk and listen with pride, joy and tears the whole afternoon. I know he will do very well next time around. Barbadians at home and around the world now is the time more than ever to come together. Celebrate your country and be proud to be Bajan. You earn it. Reach out to the Ryan's of the world and help even if all you can do is prayer that is enough. I love Barbados more so than ever now. Ryan welcome home we all love you.
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