Usain Bolt received a royal welcome when he attended the press conference held in his honour at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, St Andrew, yesterday.

From a surprise performance for Bolt by Mavado to the quickly delivered 200 pieces of KFC, Bolt was fêted by the government, the sporting fraternity and the many private companies, which pulled together to give him a welcome home.

First surprise

The first surprise came from Mavado who performed his hit tune,On the Rock, backed by Nexus, World Choir Games gold medallist. Bolt could not resist the urge to get up and join Mavado onstage. Mavado prompted Bolt to do one of the many dances that he became known for after breaking his world records, the gully creepa. "Gully creepa, gully creepa, gully creepa," Mavado sang as Usain did the moves.

He was also surprised with four buckets of KFC after minister of information, culture, youth and sports, Olivia Grange, announced that he wanted some after the motorcade in which he was bruised by the eager crowd, who fought to touch him.

Painting gift

Delroy Haye, an artist and teacher from the Camperdown High school, gave Bolt a painting of him running down a track with the 9.69 world record on his chest. Grange noted that Haye is a teacher at the school where Glen Mills is the former coach.

Following on the heels of a overwhelmingly successful welcome home for the triple gold-medallist, the government announced a four-day celebration is being planned to mark the success of the all the athletes in Beijing, China in October.

October celebration

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said the celebration is planned for October 3 when he expects all the athletes to be returning home. He said the celebration will take the form of a motorcade from the Norman Manley International Airport and end with a 'massive salute' at the National Stadium.

In addition to this, the athletes would be taken to the western part of the island and to their communities to celebrate with the people there.

Golding said although the celebration is still in the planning stage, they were looking at making a monument that would commemorate the success of the athletes.

Bolt was grateful for the support of the nation, noting in his thank you that he is happy that he made them happy. "First thing, to di worl! I really don't know what to say .... I will continue to keep Jamaica on top. I will work harder to remain on top. It's gonna be harder but I am equal to the challenge," he said.

He said due to the unexpected overwhelming response from people on Monday that the other athletes are eager to come home now and share in the celebrations, but he is happy that he was the first to arrive.