Men, women, boys, girls, flags, plastic horns and even pot covers made for a proud yet satisfyingly noisy afternoon in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew yesterday, as hundreds of persons gathered to witness the men's 200 metres final via 'big screen'.

The "1-2-3" effort of Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir respectively, had fans in a frenzy as they celebrate the athlete's sweeping of the sprint event.

"When wi done pon di track, di Queen affi go start call Jamaica 'Little London'," one Kingston resident remarked, as he spoke on the success of some of the Jamaican athletes performing in London. So excited was the man that he had to pause and catch his breath when asked about his feelings towards the outcome of the race.

Karen Bailey, a 32-year-old Jamaican living in the United Kingdom but here in the island on vacation, said the atmosphere she has witnessed during the Olympic Games is easily the most memorable of her trip.

patriotism

Bolt

She said she chose to leave the air-conditioned rooms of a hotel so she could be able celebrate with fellow Jamaicans in the name of patriotism and good competition.

"I've been living in the UK for the past six years and this is my first time back here, No way I could stay in a hotel and cheer for the guys, I wanted to be outside where the excitement is and so my friends took me here to Half-Way Tree and I'm loving the vibe," Bailey told THE WEEKEND STAR, before going back to making celebratory noises with two pot covers.

The Jamaican athletes might have crossed the finish line all in less than 20 seconds, however, the excitement they created lasted all afternoon.

"Di race done now and mi can go home feeling happy," said Warren King, a 52-year-old St Mary man, who vowed to visit a bar before going on his long trek home.

"Bolt gwaan good, as a matter of fact all three a dem gwaan good, di young bway (Warren Weir) fight fi him third place and mi love dat, a him mi glad fah," he reasoned before adding, "a way a St Mary mi live but mi affi go get a drink before mi head home, da race deh mek mi feel nice."