JAMAICA’s Olympic athletes will receive a reception befitting a hero when they are feted by the Jamaican government during the Heroes Weekend from October 12-15.

Minister with responsibility for Sport, Natalie Neita-Headley, made the revelation during a press conference which was held at the Norman Manley International Airport on Saturday to welcome the 2012 100m Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Jamaica won 12 medals — its highest ever tally — at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, including four gold, four silver, and four bronze and the minister said a committee had been established by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller with plans being made for a function to be held at either the National Arena or National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC).

“There will be one national celebration which allow for Jamaicans to share not necessarily at the location, but it will also be broadcast into the home of Jamaicans. We’re going to do what Jamaica can do,” she said.

Neita-Headley said the celebration would be much scaled down from that held in 2008 when the country won a then record 11 medals at the Beijing Olympics.

“It won’t take the same format as 2008. There is no intention to be part of any motorcade, floats, or hand-waving and that kind of thing.

“This year I recognised very quickly that some promises were probably made the last time that were not necessarily fulfilled. What they will receive in hand the night of the celebration they can take home with them.”

She pointed out that the government would not be declaring a national holiday: “Because it would mean every four years we would be giving a national holiday because we are expecting great things always from our athletes.”