Kirani James praised for winning SOSA award

PRIME Minister Tillman Thomas has heaped praise on Olympic and World 400m champion Kirani James for receiving the Caribbean Spirit of Sport Award (SOSA) in Trinidad and Tobago recently.

The Grenadian quarter-miler was presented with the award after picking up his country’s first Olympic medal in the event at the 2012 London Games in August.

James also captured world attention with a humanitarian gesture in one of his preliminary races at the Games.

“We were all excited with the athletic achievement of Kirani on the stadium tracks at the Olympics,” Prime Minister Thomas said in a Government statement released last week Wednesday.

“But the heart of this champion was displayed when the world also took notice when he swapped bibs with double amputee, South African athlete Oscar Pistorius.”

While announcing the award, the Sport Company of T&T (SPORTT) heaped praises on James for
his achievements in 2012, while still a teenager.

The Prime Minister said the award by the Sport Company of T&T is evidence that Kirani’s actions set a new standard for which he will be known throughout his professional career.

“People celebrate champions and the world took notice when this Grenadian star athlete did something selfless,” said the Grenadian Prime Minister, “especially when tradition suggests that the first priority for individual competitors is to receive the accolades from their adoring fans.”