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Golden boy Walcott feted with hero’s welcome in Trinidad
(August 15, 2012)![image](http://www.caribbean360.com/thumbnail.php?file=images/Caribbean/kamla_keshorn_walcott_695810696.jpg&size=article_medium)
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Wednesday August 15, 2012 — Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott didn't just return home to a rousing hero's welcome, but was also treated to a multimillion dollar gift package after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced a bag of goodies to reward the nation’s new athletics celebrity.
Among the gifts were TT$1million cash, a house in Federation Park valued at TT$2.5million, 20,000 square feet of land in his hometown of Toco, and a scholarship at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).
Additionally, Toco Lighthouse and a Caribbean Airlines plane will be named after the 19-year-old javelin champion, as well as a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) project in Toco.
The prime minister heaped praise on Walcott on Monday at Piarco International Airport, where thousands of revellers dressed in the national colours of red, black and white greeted the young athlete.
Monday was named a national holiday in honour of Walcott, who won the Olympic javelin title with a throw of 277 feet, 6 inches.
The teenager’s victory was Trinidad's first Olympic gold in a field event and its second overall. The first was notched 36 years ago at the Montreal Olympics when Hasley Crawford dominated the 100 metre dash.
"On behalf of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, we thank you, Keshorn, and may the Lord continue to bless you," Persad-Bissessar shouted into a microphone, trying to get her voice heard above the crowd's chanting of "Keshorn!"
Walcott, who is from the farming village of Toco, looked slightly stunned by the outpouring of gratitude from his countrymen.
"I was proud to carry the flag of T&T and thanks to everyone for all the support and thanks to Mum and Dad, my brothers and sister," said Walcott, who was the world junior champion in javelin before his big weekend win at the London Olympics.