Sprint sensation and world record holder Usain Bolt was the main attraction on day two at the fifth Inter-American Pathfinders Camporee on April 5, 2023.
The minute the fastest man in the world entered Trelawny Stadium, a multi-purpose sports complex in Jamaica, all the attention and focus changed.
“Usain Bolt is a role model for both young people and adults globally,” said Pastor Balvin Braham, vice president of the Inter-American Division (IAD). “He is renown [sic] across the 42 countries of the Inter-American Division, and there is a fascination with this sports icon. We wanted him at our camporee to demonstrate to the youth that it is possible to achieve according to your God-given potential.”
Fourteen-year-old St. Vincentian Annique Carrington said it was a dream come true to meet her track star, who inspires her to be great in track and field, specifically, the 100- and 200-meter events at her high school back home. “It was an exciting moment for me, a dream come true … this camporee has fulfilled this dream.”
The eight-time Olympic champion, whose mother and father are Seventh-day Adventist members of the Sherwood Content Church in Trelawny, was brought up in the church and is well aware of the Pathfinders Club but gave up Sabbath church attendance because of his love for sports, especially track and field. His mother, Jennifer Bolt, was also present at the camporee during his visit.
Bolt was presented with the IAD presidential medal during his visit. In making the announcement, Pastor Al Powell, IAD Youth Ministries director, said, “The Honorable Usain Bolt is a significant figure in Jamaica and across the world, and we want to share with him the Inter-American Division presidential golden award. Now Usain Bolt is used to getting gold medals, and we just want to show appreciation to him for his commitment to youth, not just in Jamaica, but around the world.”
In his response, the six-foot-five-inch runner encouraged thousands of young people at the camporee to work hard and never give up on their dreams.
“It’s a pleasure to be here today,” said Bolt to loud applause. “I am excited to be here before all you youngsters. You are here for a good cause that the church is doing.” He encouraged them to “always work hard and never give up. Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams because I am from the country, and I never dream to be this great, but I continue working and pushing hard, and God gave me a talent, and I used it to the best of my ability. Continue to work hard. Enjoy the camporee. God bless you.”
Amid the large crowd of Pathfinders and church leaders, Bolt took time to run 100 meters with two Pathfinders who challenged him, saying they could run faster than he could. Several young people followed behind as they enjoyed the historic moment.
Fifteen-year-old Emmanuel Deher, from Guadeloupe, could not help but be shocked at seeing Bolt in person. He just felt compelled to run behind him. “I actually got to run behind the fastest man on earth, whom I admire because of his determination to win every time he runs,” he said.
Bolt also took time to take group photos with every union delegation before he left the stadium.
Nearly 10,000 Pathfinders and leaders continued to camp in the Trelawny Stadium compound until April 9, 2023.
Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher contributed to this report.
Find photos of Usain Bolt’s visit to Inter-America’s fifth Pathfinder Camporee HERE.
For updates on the week’s events, visit interamerica.org.
The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division website.
