Strawberry Hill Hotel and Spa yesterday apologised to patrons and athletes for delays experienced by hundreds of guests who attended a dinner in honour of the Jamaican Beijing Olympic team.

According to the hotel, a break-down in key kitchen equipment prevented it from serving dinner in a timely manner, resulting in unexpected delays at the $15,000-a-plate function, dubbed 'Dining with Stars Under the Stars'. The dinner was held at the hotel Friday night.

The dinner, held to raise funds for Jamaica's athletics programme, was one of the activities being staged in honour of the country's record-breaking team at the Beijing Olympics in August. The whirlwind week of celebrations will climax on October 10.

Disappointed

The hotel's upscale restaurant apologised "unreservedly to the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Bank of Nova Scotia, the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, the Jamaica Olympic Association, the athletes and all companies and individuals who came out to support the dinner.

"Our disappointment can only be matched by yours," a release read.

As a result, Strawberry Hill has offered Friday night's dinner clientele a complimentary Sunday brunch or dinner for two within the next 60 days.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Olivia Grange on Saturday night met with Beijing Olympians to clear up concerns regarding the treatment of some athletes.

The Gleaner understands that the athletes were concerned that only some were given national awards during a ceremony held at the National Stadium on Saturday.

But Grange told The Gleaner yesterday that athletes who did not get national honours would receive awards in Trelawny on Wednesday.

CD

Glen Mills, Howard Aris, Donald Quarrie, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell-Brown.

OD

Nesta Carter, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Michael Frater, Danny McFarlane, Dwight Thomas and Melaine Walker.