Despite the Longtime USA vs Jamica Rivalry, Florida Honors Usain Bolt With an Iconic Tribute

Usain Bolt was recently back in the U.S. for the unveiling of his statue in Florida. The retired sprinter still holds the title of “fastest man alive” and is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. On Saturday, the legendary athlete graced the crowd gathered at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar with an appearance. t was a big milestone in the Jamaican’s life as this is his first statue in the U.S. despite the long-standing rivalry between USA and Jamaica.

Usain has clashed with legendary sprinters from the U.S. like Ryan Bailey and Justin Gatlin in the past. The Jamaican has never allowed an American to defeat him on the track. As a result, Usain has statues of himself in his home country. There is an eight-foot statue of Usain Bolt carved in bronze at the National Stadium in Kingston. Now, the state of Florida has also decided to honor the legend. However, this statue in the U.S. has special significance.

Miramar’s Tribute to Usain Bolt Symbolizes Strength in Diversity

The city of Miramar chose Lightning Bolt as the subject for the first statue to honor both the hero and the large population of Jamaican immigrants in the area. It marks the creation of the first statue for the Art in Public Places and Art in the Park initiatives. The statue not only celebrates Bolt’s remarkable athletic achievements but also serves as a symbol of unity and cultural diversity within the community. The city commissioned the sculptor Basil Barrington Watson, a native of Kingston, to create the statue. Watson has beautifully depicted Bolt in his iconic pose from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he created history by winning three gold medals.

Bolt felt elated by the honor bestowed upon him by Miramar. He also posed in front of the statue mimicking its pose in his Instagram story. He captioned the picture with lyrics from his song, “Living the Dream”. In another picture, the legendary athlete wrote, “To the world! Permanent Presence”, to express his gratitude to the city for recognizing his achievements.

Watson explained his choice of Bolt’s kneeling pose for the statue saying in today’s political and social climate, such a pose can have a deep impact. To him, the pose symbolizes both ambition and self-confidence. Therefore, he chose Bolt’s quote, “Anything is possible. Don’t think limits” to engrave at the base of the monument. Bolt spoke about the origin of this quote which is his mantra in life.

The Symbolic Power of Bolt’s Mantra

Usain Bolt credits his rise to his outlook on life, which is never to restrict oneself with limits. His coach Glen Mills inspired Bolt to look at life in this manner. Bolt spoke to Miami Herald, saying, “this is how my motto actually came about. Anything’s possible. Don’t think of it”. Bolt also wants this motto to inspire other kids in Miramar. He was present to cheer for the young kids competing in a race at the Ansin Sports Complex.

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Alexandra P. Davis, the Vice Mayor for Miramar city, also spoke to the Miami Herald, saying that the statue will be  “a constant reminder to all aspiring athletes” to strive for excellence. Bolt was also honored with the key to the city on Friday, July 14, which will be celebrated as Usain Bolt Day from now on. Clearly, the great sprinter has left a lasting impact on the city of Miramar and its residents.

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