Their speed and crisp form on the track have made them world- beaters, but on the dance floor, the incomparable Usain Bolt, former record holder Asafa Powell and rising star Julian Forte appeared a tad offbeat.

The three engaged in a dance -off which befittingly capped off a night of celebration, hosted by Minister of Sport Olivia Grange, in a salute to Jamaica’s Rio Olympians and Paralympians.

The five, coloured iconic rings, which indelibly symbolise the Olympic spirit, greeted guests at the door way of the red-carpet affair that offered a fairly exciting and entertaining evening for athletes at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday.

Also in attendance were Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and wife Juliet, as well as other government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

In-between various performances in song and dance, those in attendance relived some of Jamaica’s glorious moments at the Rio Games, spearheaded by Bolt’s immortal ‘triple-triple’ and Elaine Thompson’s double gold medal in the 100m and 200m, along with the silky smooth performance of Omar McLeod in the 110m hurdles.

As an independent nation, Jamaica has medalled in all 16 appearances at the Olympic Games, but the record-equalling 11-medal haul — six gold medals, three silver and two bronze in Rio, will go down in history as one of the most impressive.

Jamaica’s athletes stood out among the over 10,500 individuals from over 207 countries represented at the Rio Games, finishing third on the track and field table behind the United States of America and Kenya, and 16th overall on the final standings.

Athletes and officials of the 63-member delegation were presented with tokens in four segments. The first segment involved members of the administrative and medical team, while the second acknowledged those athletes who failed to medal.

All finalists who failed to medal were recognised in the third segment, before the individual medal winners and those of the men’s and women’s 4X100m and 4X400m relay teams capped off the presentations.

Four statues and cash awards of between US$2,500 and US$10,000 are among other tributes for the athletes. Gold medallists were given US$10,000 (approximately $1.3 million) for each medal, while competitors who failed to make the finals in their events will get US$2,500 (approximately $325,000) for each event.

A relay gold medal will attract US$6,000 to be shared by all six members of the relay team. Managers and officials will get US$1,000 each.

Grange pointed out that the tokens and tributes are an expression of Jamaica’s gratitude and not a measure of the athletes’ impact on the country and the world.

“There is no passion to be found in settling for [a] life less than the one you are capable of living. I believe that when Nelson Mandela said those words he must have been thinking about our Jamaican athletes — in Jamaican language we often say, ‘Wi likkle but wi tallawah’.

“Your successes over the years continue to excite and astound the world, and I must take this opportunity to acknowledge the forerunners who have set the stage and built the foundation for those of you who are with us today,” said Grange.

Grange also expressed optimism that the three-day celebratory events, which commenced on Friday, solidify the unwavering support that her Government will be giving to the development of sports and sporting personnel going forward.

“The Government has made significant investments at all levels, national and community and educational institution to improve the lives of our sportsmen and women. We are developing a comprehensive investment strategy to maximise the benefits that we gain from the positive exposure through global sports,” she ended.