Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association, Howard Aris (left), chats with United States sprinter Tyson Gay. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Before they performed for thousands at the National Stadium last Saturday, the athletes in the Jamaica International Invitational Meet were hosted by the prime minister at a reception at the Hilton Kingston hotel.

It didn't matter that there were no speeches at last Friday evening's event (the prime minister was a little ill, after all). But the fact is, this was still the perfect chance for locals to meet some of the United States stars and to reacquaint with their local heroes.

With Asafa not around, the 'big man' tag fell to his biggest competition (no disrespect, Usain) Tyson Gay. And he didn't disappoint; taking photos with fans and sampling some of the local cuisine. Judging by the impressive performances the following evening, neither him nor anybody else had a hangover or indigestion.

Guests

Those out at the reception included French Ambassador Francis Hurtut, Arnold Foote and wife Patricia, Rene Simoes, Molly Rhone, Marva Bernard, Marland Nattie, Grace Jackson, Kathy Rattray, Delloreen Ennis-London, Aileen Bailey, Michael Blackwood, Lacena Golding-Clarke, Neville Bell, Bruce James, Brianna Glenn, Mike Rodgers, Joanna Hayes, Vishu Tolan, Dr Jonathan Greenland, Robert MacMillan, Elaine Wint-Leslie, Kay Osborne, Vivian Crawford, Ian Andrews, DJ Crawford, Garnett Reid, Norma Brown-Bell, June Daley, Ray Harvey, Ed Khoury, Dr David McBean and Tomlin Ellis.

World champion sprinter Tyson Gay (left) meets Bunny Pommells (right), while looking on are (from second left) David Mais, Gordon Hutchinson and House Speaker Delroy Chuck.

Genes don't lie! Jamaican sprint maestro Don Quarrie and daughter Tara Quarrie smile for the cameras.

We don't know about the rest of Jamaica, but we sincerely can't get enough of Miss Jamaica Universe 2008, April Jackson. She was out at the prime minister's reception for athletes invited to the Jamaica Invitational Meet, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, last Friday.

Information, Culture and Sports Minister Olivia Grange has a 'penny for the thoughts' of American sprinter Tyson Gay.