I am not too uncomfortable with the prime minister's decision to name Usain Bolt ambassador-at-large. However, the PM's decision to award Bolt the national honour of Order of Jamaica is premature.

I think there is something amiss, maybe even disconcerting that Bolt, whose career at the senior level has only just begun, is to get the Order of Jamaica ahead of Donald Quarrie. Bolt should tell the prime minister he is prepared to accept the Order of Jamaica years after Don Quarrie has been so honoured.

bad idea

I think it is also not the best decision to name Highway 2000 after Bolt. Wouldn't it have been more fitting to rename the highway after the person(s) responsible for that roadway ... or maybe a cultural icon such as Miss Lou.

If the prime minister really wanted to name a roadway after the sprint king, then he should have chosen the road leading to Sherwood Content and environs. That way the government would be constrained to give residents in those communities a first-class road. It is not too late for Bolt to refuse the Highway 2000 honour and to so advise the prime minister.

I am, etc.,

MARK DAWES

mark.dawes@yahoo.co.uk

Kingston 10

Bad connotation

THE EDITOR, Sir:

The Government has decided among other things, to rename Highway 2000 in honour of Bolt. One could detect an effort to figuratively link Usain's speed on the track with speed on the road.

However, I think this is a bad connotation (with which Bolt himself might be quite familiar) because we would rather that our drivers (young men in particular) speed on the track and not on the road.

Therefore, my suggestion is that the government consider naming a sports centre or a sports development centre in honour of Bolt for a few reasons:

First, Bolt is an athlete and the link between his name and a place of sport could not be closer.

Second, why do we focus on the end result of his speed and not on his preparation? Bolt himself has attributed his success to the hard work he has put into his training.

Naming a sport development centre in his honour would be a fitting tribute his hard work.

I am, etc.,

ORAL WHITE

oralowhite@hotmail.com

Golden Grove P.O.

St Thomas