Monday, 23rd December 2024

Gold 2012, Silver 2016 and Bronze 2020: Grenada's Kirani James becomes most decorated Olympian in 400m

Friday, 6th August 2021

Kirani James in Tokyo Olympics 2020

Grenada: The country is now celebrating the achievement of the three times champion Kirani James who captured the bronze medal in 400m with 44.19 seconds in Thursday’s event at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

The 28-year-old athlete now has a complete of medals, as he won a gold medal from 2012 London Olympics, silver medal from Rio Olympics in 2016 and he won bronze this time, making him the most decorated Olympian in 400 meters. [caption id="attachment_36611" align="aligncenter" width="418"]Kirani James in Tokyo Olympics 2020 Kirani James in Tokyo Olympics 2020[/caption]

With flags furling on the windows, his hometown celebrated his victory in the Olympics. Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell also joined other Grenadians to watch the event live on tv in support of Kirani James.

Prime Minister while applauding James, said that winning a medal for Grenada is highly significant and after he was diagnosed with a serious illness as he had to leave athletics for long years. “It is his achievement beyond the bronze medal or gold, and in addition to his class he demonstrated after an event when he went up to the winner and wrapped it around the body, it was a clear demonstration of the quality of the individual.” Sports Minister, Yolande Bain-Horsford said for Grenadians, bronze is another gold and the country greatly appreciates Kirani James’ determination to represent internationally. “We are static we are happy, Grenada is still in a celebrating mood and Grenada do not see if it is bronze or gold, he has been placed. It does not mean that he did not win a gold medal make us feel we are in any way less. We are still proud of his achievements and we just want to strengthen that point.” [caption id="attachment_36612" align="aligncenter" width="398"]400m Final Tokyo Olympics 2020 400m Final Tokyo Olympics 2020[/caption] Apart from this, Minister of Sports, Bain-Horsford said that government remains committed to ensure improvements into the facilities and increase training to enhance athletes’’ ability to be ready for international games.