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Aircraft Could Be Named After OECS Gold Medalist

Aircraft Could Be Named After OECS Gold MedalistAntigua St. John's - Regional carrier LIAT could name one of its aircraft after Grenadian Kirani James, the OECS' first gold medalist at the Olympic Games.

That's if Antigua & Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has his way.

The country's leader made a case for this to be done in his maiden address to the OECS Assembly on Friday, hours after LIAT announced it would be give a "fitting tribute" to the 19-year-old athlete.

Spencer, the leader of one of the airline's major shareholder governments, said James is deserving of the honour, describing him as a bright promise of the future of OECS athletics.

"Kirani's performance makes us proud as one people of the sub-region," he said, receiving applause from the dozens of people present.

"In order to underscore and give prominence to the significance of Kirani's accomplishments and its meaning to the sub-region in particular and the Caribbean in general, I am therefore recommending as fitting tribute that one of the symbols of our unity, LIAT, names one of its aircraft ‘Kirani James’."



In a media release issued earlier in the day, LIAT's Chief Executive Officer Captain Ian Brunton said James has brought Grenada together in a way similar to how LIAT has been bringing the people of the region together for the past 56 years.

He said the Spice Isle and the OECS have a lot to celebrate.

“We have taken note of Mr. James’ grace on the track; his symbolic gesture in switching bibs with Oscar Pistorius (the Blade Runner) after winning the semi-final; and how he shook hands with every competitor after winning the final," said the recently appointed CEO.

"LIAT views the win as an extraordinary achievement for a small country like Grenada and for Mr. James and would like to urge young people throughout the region to follow his example and always strive for success."

On August 6, James became the first man from outside the United States to break the 44-second barrier when he won the 400m in 43.94 seconds.

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7 Comments In This Article   

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I'm Just Saying

#7 Just Saying » 2012-08-21 09:13

Kirani's name on LIAT... is this a benefit for Kirani or for LIAT?... Let's talk some $$$ here for Mr. James.. No freebies for the highly inefficient, grossly expensive LIAT... please don't disguise this as an ACCOLADE.. Just say what it is!

I'm Just Saying...
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Just Saying

JB

#6 One big chuuuuppppss » 2012-08-12 18:48

Some near gay jus lub fish in an sudden...no disrespect to the Caribbean Athletes. They were outstanding! But Baldwin Spencer, how does this benefit KirNi James and others who wish to emulate him...Why not talk about a Caribbean athletic training academy...? Small minds always trying to make big impressions - hog wash! One big chuuuuuuuuuuupp ppppssss! Mount Obama, me foot too!!
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One big chuuuuppppss

PM, clean up your back yard before venturing into others.

#5 Bluddy Bloke » 2012-08-12 10:50

The cliche " Clean up your own back yard before venturing in to others" certainly stands out in my mind at this moment. I must admit that I have the greatest respect for Kerani James along with the other athletes from the Caribbean on their achievements during the Olympics. I will also add that certainly their accomplishments should not go unnoticed. However, I am baffled as to the reason why our PM can look beyond his nose and grant such alcolodes to person(s) who has no direct realtionship with him or Antigua / Barbuda and yet still, he chooses to treat his constituents in the Gray's Green area like second class citizens. To these people he summond the riot squad with guns on them just to demolish a building. He granted employment to them at the lowest end of the employment scale such as maids, messengers etc and he has made many promises to build a community center and to this day such promises has not being kept.I am convince that the PM is more concern about a making a name for himself on the international and regional stage than looking after his constituency. I am now left to assume that his constituents have become second class and hence, a king has no hnour in his country?
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Bluddy Bloke

Good Idea???

#4 It Is Me » 2012-08-11 22:08

Baldwin Spencer is always trying to jump the gun. He is a wagonist as the Jamaicans would say. This is just like Mount Obama!!! He didn't wait and think he just jump on Obama wagon like the wagonist he is and went and name our HIGHEST peak after an American president who nah even study arwe up to now!!!

Let the dust settle!!!

If he had done that then he would of had time to realise that it would be more fitting for the OECS leaders to get together and create a Kirani James Track & Field or Athletics facility. That could actually have a benefit for the youths. What are the youths gonna get out of seeing Kirani James painted on a plane? Choooops ... and some people are saying good idea?

Let Liat or the OECS build a track & field facility in Grenada instead!!!

Then our PM have Winston Williams ah fence up the whole of Antigua ... dont you think they could of even created little tracks somewhere round the island? Instead we have only Yasco and Bakka Bailey fraid to run on it!!! We should have tracks around the fields in English Harbour, Parham & Old Road!!!

Let's not forget Baldwin Spencer took away VC Bird day!!!
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It Is Me

I third!

#3 Common Cents » 2012-08-11 11:37

Not only should Kirani be named on one of the LIAT planes, I think we should use him as "LIAT ambassador" as well as free flights around the Caribbean for him for life! It would be a fitting use for him, along with a fitting reward
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Common Cents

I second that motion!

#2 young analyst » 2012-08-11 09:46

I think thats a great idea PM Spencer, you can even push for his face to be on the tail as well. Good job.
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RE: Aircraft Could Be Named After OECS Gold Medalist

#1 chupz » 2012-08-11 09:27

Good idea. And well done to Daniel Bailey for his efforts as well.
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chupz

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