Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, and Prime Minister designate, Bruce Golding, have congratulated sprint sensation Asafa Powell, following his latest exploits on the running track in Italy yesterday.

"My heartiest congratulations to you Asafa on your brilliant world record run of 9.74 seconds at yesterday's IAAF Grand Prix meeting in Rieti, Italy," noted Prime Minister Simpson Miller.
"Your outstanding performance underpins the true Jamaican spirit, which is the ability to rebound after a major disappointment.

Asafa Powell of Jamaica is seen soon after setting the new world record in the 100-metre dash of 9.74 seconds at the Rieti Grand Prix, Italy, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

"The fact that you were able to bounce back after last month's World Championships defeat speaks volumes of your strength of character. It also tells me that as a Christian you kept in your heart the words from Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31 - 'But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint'.

"Asafa, you have once again demonstrated to Jamaica and the world what you can do, so continue to work hard, never give up as one day soon you will get your rightful place in the sun.
"Congratulations as well to Michael Frater (10.03) for second behind Asafa and Shericka Williams who copped the 400m women's title at the meet as well."

Prime Minister designate, Bruce Golding, also expressed his delight at the record breaking run of Powell.
In lauding Powell's lowering of his own world record from 9.77 seconds to 9.74, which he set in 2005, Golding said it showed his resilience and ability to bounce back.

The win, he said, "will go a long way to help Asafa erase the disappointment of his third place finish at the recent World Championships in Osaka, Japan, and reinforce his belief that he is still the best and the world's fastest human being".
"We are very proud of you," Golding said.
He also congratulated Frater.

Golding said that in the near future, the government would properly recognise their success and that of the members of Jamaica's record-breaking team and officials who recently returned from the 11th IAAF World Athletics Championships.
The team won 10 medals and finished fourth in terms of the number of medals won at the Championship from a total of 202 countries.

He also expressed the view that the national pride and euphoria generated from the spectacular successes of the nation's sportsmen and women on the international stage, provides the country with an opportunity and the inspiration to unite and find common ground to build the country at this time.

Meanwhile, James Robertson, the Jamaica Labour Party spokesman on Youth, Community Development and Sports, also congratulated Powell on his spectacular run.

"This spectacular feat and achievement on his part can only serve to promote strong youth development and exemplify him as an outstanding youth role model as he continues to highlight Jamaica as an outstanding country world wide through his unmatched sports achievement," Robertson said.

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