BUJU... gave a medal-worthy performance

The Puma-sponsored welcome party for Jamaica's Olympic delegation to Athens was truly a star-studded event, attended by high-profile names of Jamaican entertainment and sports in town for the world's largest sporting spectacular.

International artiste Buju Banton was there, rising dancehall star Assassin was there, so was Barrington Levy, and even the 1990s chart-topping duo of Chaka Demus and Pliers passed through. Jamaica's 100-metre medal hopeful Asafa Powell, teen sprint sensation Usain Bolt, track queen Aleen Bailey, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) top man, Mike Fennell, and most of Jamaica's Olympic team were present and accounted for at the exclusive swank Balux Beach Club, located on the Asteria Seaside Glyfada in Athens Greece.

ASSASSIN... thrilled the audience to boiling point

The event, put on by Puma and co-ordinated by JAMPRO, was a multi-purpose one, intended to expose Jamaican products, culture and athletes to the world and to the international news media, while at the same time being a show of support for the Jamaican delegation.

Early in the evening, the team was met by a large contingent of international journalists who held interviews with some members of the Olympic Team, paying particular attention to male sprinters Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, both of whom are expected to win medals in hotly-contested events here at the Summer Games.

These beautiful Greek women loved everything Jamaican.

Patrons were met at the gate by two Greek beauties wearing Jamaican Puma gear who presented visitors with samples of Jamaica's award-winning grapefruit drink Ting, D&G Ginger Beer and Grace Tropical Rhythms fruit drinks.

Inside the venue, the Red Stripe beer flowed freely, served by bar staff and waiters decked out in the Jamaican team's colours. It was a truly Yard-style event, complete with the bling that characterises dancehall culture, in the form of a Hum-V truck painted in full Jamaican colours parked outside the venue, and the blaring thud of a heavy Jamaican dancehall baseline booming from the beach.

Members of the Jamaican team get busy... yard style

Guests mingled and milled about for a while, but by the time the reggae concert started, everyone present was pumped and raring to go. Black Kat got things started before singer Spanner Banner came on, both priming the crowd for Chaka Demus & Pliers and the young Assassin to take the crowd's excitement close to boiling point. By the time veteran performer Barrington Levy hit the stage draped in a large Jamaican flag, he had the entire venue singing his songs along with him.

But it was the appearance of 'Gargamel' that nearly 'mash up' the Greek venue. Flashing his locks, Buju Banton appeared on stage as the final act, delivering a well-received set to the delight of the fast-swelling gathering. The audience lapped it up totally, and at one point Buju even leaped off the stage to mingle with the excited crowd during his performance.

The Jamaican delegation - no doubt a little homesick - wanted the party to continue longer, but had to leave to head back to the Olympic Village, ending their brief journey to the Mediterranean recreation of the island they hope to make proud at these games.

Executive Class

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Death to the Mullet!