Congrats pour in for Grenada’s Kirani

Congratulations continue to be extended to Grenadian track sensation Kirani James who, on Monday, won a gold medal in the 400m race at the London 2012 Olympics, the first medal of any kind in the Olympics for any member state of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).{{more}}

Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, in a letter to Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, congratulated Grenada and Carriacou on James’ victory. Eustace, on behalf of his New Democratic Party (NDP), said St Vincent and the Grenadines share in Grenada’s “joy and pride in James’ accomplishment.”

“His victory, coming in the very week of the OECS’ first sitting of our united parliament and our collective elation at the enormity of his accomplishment, further cements the close ties which we within the OECS continue to forge. It is a victory for Grenada and in turn, a victory for the OECS and the entire Caribbean. Congratulations to Kirani, to you and the people of your nation. We within the OECS and within the NDP in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, salute you,” Eustace’s letter, dated August 7, said.

Director General of the OECS Dr Len Ishmael also extended her congratulations to Kirani, his parents, technical and support personnel involved in his preparation and to the government and people of Grenada, on her own behalf and on behalf of the staff of the Secretariat.

“Young Kirani’s illustrious career”, the Director-General wrote, “has been nothing short of impressive, having recently captured the World title in Daegu just last year, amongst a string of victories that include winning the World Youth 200/400 double in 2009 and World Junior 400m title in 2010. By bringing home the gold as Grenada’s, and indeed the OECS’s first Olympic gold medalist, Kirani’s victory has confirmed his status as ‘the best quarter-miler on the planet’.

“This is indeed a historic moment for both Grenada and the region even as Kirani broke the 44-second barrier in the history of the event. It is my hope that Kirani’s success, as the son of a small fishing village called Gouyave, will provide inspiration for the youth, the population at large in Grenada and the wider OECS to continue striving for excellence despite the odds and for the achievement of greater unity among the Member States of the OECS.”

James now tops the growing list of champions hailing from the OECS, which was very well represented at the London Olympic Games.

In a release, the OECS Secretariat reiterated its commitment to assisting member states with the development of sports at the national level and to promoting and supporting regional sporting events and championships.