I have always wondered what purpose it serves to honour a man when he is dead, or, as it was in the case of a champion like George Headley and one like Herb McKenley, in the twilight of their years.

Why not, I have always also wondered, honour champions when, or shortly after such greatness has been achieved, they are in the prime of their lives so that they can enjoy it for the rest of their lives.

That is why I was so filled with joy on Tuesday when I heard that the Government of Jamaica, through the Cabinet, had not only decided to name Highway 2000 after him, had not only agreed to make him an ambassador-at-large, but also, and more important, will bestow the Order of Jamaica on Usain Bolt - the fastest man on Earth, arguably, by his deeds, the greatest sportsman or sportswoman Jamaica has ever produced, probably the greatest sprinter the world has ever seen.

Last year, in August, at the Olympic Games in Beijing, Bolt won the 100 metres in an astonishing world record time of 9.69 seconds, he also won the 200 metres in a mind-boggling 19.30 seconds to erase the previously considered untouchable world record of 19.32, and a few days later he set the pace with a blistering third leg for a world record run in the 4x100m relay.

This year, in August, at the World Athletic Championships in Berlin, Bolt won the 100 metres in a stunning 9.58, he won the 200 metres in a fairy-tale 19.19, again he powered his team to victory in the 4x100 metres relay, and in both individual events the big man eased up a long way from the finish.

influence

In other words, despite eclipsing two world records so comfortably, two records which previously, up to a year or so earlier, and before he himself had cut so much off them, and especially so the 200 metres mark, had been considered out of man's reach, it appeared that, if he so desired, Bolt could have gone faster, much faster, and set records which would have not only baffled the imagination but which, in all probability, would have stood forever or at least for a long, long time.

As great and as magnificent as those performances were, however, Bolt's greatness, probably his lasting legacy on track and field and on sport in general, has been his influence on sport - on other athletes, on other sportsmen and sportswomen, and fans around the world.

Right around the world, sport seemed to have changed overnight.

The Bolt influence has been such that competitors, from his team and from everywhere, seem to be enjoying themselves before and after competing, his trademark pose after victory has become the trademark of many in the world of sport, and most important, everything, great performances and performances which before appeared near impossible, now seem possible to almost everyone, in sport and outside of sport.

To those who believe that Bolt, who was previously honoured with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class), should not have received such high honour while he is still active, the history of Jamaica is filled with many who were active and who received high national honours, including among them Courtney Walsh - the fast bowler who, after breaking the world record for the most number of wickets in Test cricket, was still bowling a cricket ball for Jamaica and the West Indies, received the Keys to the City, was honoured with the Order of Jamaica, and, like Merlene Ottey and later Michael Holding, was made an ambassador-at-large.

honours

There are those who believe that such honours should not be bestowed on an active sportsman because of the possibility that he could blot his copybook and embarrass the nation later on.

Apart from the fact that one never knows what will happen in life, apart from the fact that like everything else in life, we just have to pray for God's blessing on he who has been so honoured, there are also businessmen, professionals and politicians who have been similarly honoured - businessmen, professionals and politicians who were and are still in business, who were and are still involved in their professions, and who were and are still in politics.

To those who believe that Bolt, at 23, is too young, I would just like to remind them that at 23 a man is old enough to have children, he is old enough to vote, he is old enough to marry, he is old enough to graduate from a university, he is old enough to go to war and to die for his country, and, based not only on God-given talent but also on his pursuit of greatness, on his commitment, his dedication and his hard work, he is old enough to do things which men, older men, only accomplish in their dreams.

What is important in this honouring of Bolt, however, is that those who have done so on behalf of the people of Jamaica remember that the people of Jamaica are not easily satisfied, that just like how they wanted another Headley, or more, and just like how they wanted another McKenley, or more, they want another superman, and many more.

inspiration

They want, not only another Veronica Campbell-Brown, they want not only another Fraser, they want not only another Melanie Walker, and they want not only another one like Brigitte Foster-Hylton and more like them.

They want another Usain Bolt and many more like him.

While what has been done can serve as an inspiration to many a young Jamaican, in order for that to happen, in order for other Jamaicans to attempt doing what Bolt has done, in order for them to climb the mountain and to reach the top, this country needs to continue its support of sport.

Most importantly, apart from the hope that Bolt will understand the enormous responsibility placed on him, apart from the hope that the people close to him, one like coach Glen Mills, will continue to guide him in his role as an example to young Jamaicans, as sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser has said, this country, led by the people and the volunteers, financed by the private sector, and encouraged by the Government, needs to support those who, like Bolt and his other teammates in Beijing and in Berlin, dream of achieving greatness and those who are willing to go all the way - to put in everything that is necessary to go all the way.

Bolt