Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

Merely medals from Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown at the Beijing Games would have sufficed their neighbours in the parish of Trelawny.

But for the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, only a comparable performance or one that surpasses their last big international outing is expected.

"Bolt should take the double and Veronica the 200 metres easily," said Councillor Fernandez Smith of the Sherwood Content division, where Bolt and Campbell-Brown had their beginnings.

Veronica's brother, Errol Campbell, is expecting an easy win.

"She works hard and has been very consistent, being among the most consistent in the world, she has no competition," he said.

Her father, Cecil Campbell, is more cautious.

"I am praying for her to win as she works hard, but she is not as young as she used to be and young people are always coming up," he said.

A visit to the popular Falmouth 'Bend Down' market showed an absence of souvenir pieces depicting the Jamaican athletes - a stark contrast to the prevalence during the Beijing Games.

The television sets that were highly visibly in several business establishments in the town of Falmouth for workers and customers' viewing are also missing.

Councillor Smith thinks the economic recession could be contributing to the loss of hype but believes the mood could change when the games begin today.

Bolt's aunt, Zoe Davis, concurs.

"The people are not ready yet. When the races start then the celebration will begin," she assured.

She is also adamant that her nephew will win his races.

For Joseph Palmer, a resident of the Sherwood Content community, Bolt is invincible.

"As long as he remains healthy for the next five years he will be unbeatable."

Meanwhile, there are specially planned events in the resort town of Montego Bay, St James, for the Berlin Championships.

Checks with Margaritaville Montego Bay, Jamaica Bobsled Café and Twisted Kilt (eateries and sports bars) reveal that only the races will be aired.

"We will show the races but we haven't formally planned any parties for the Berlin Games," said Andre Dixon, Twisted Kilt's chief executive officer.