Sport: Even the Birds Were Singing for Bolt

As the expected early dark descended upon the Independence Park complex in the precincts of the National Stadium, several birds, presumably preparing to retire for the evening, struck up a lively repartee, their trills becoming even more audible in the lull of anticipation around the venue, Perhaps they too, had a sense of the moment that was to unfold - or, more correctly, unveil.

The feathered songbirds would be matched through the night, by human ones, beginning, almost magisterially, with Anna Strachan's delivery of the National Anthem. Supported by the excellent Jamaica Military Band (who had preceded the formal opening with ska, reggae and pop selections) Strachan's robust yet delicately soaring reading set the tone for the evening's entertainment.

She may have been no match for Strachan vocally, but bearing a guitar that was bigger than her, eight-year old Azaria Thompson displayed a charisma and talent far beyond her years - raspy voice and all - as she strummed and belted out Jimmy Cliff's minimalist anthem "Many Rivers To Cross" (from "The Harder They Come").

Levity would come in a big way, in the small package of storyteller Kemari Brown. The diminutive youngster, unfortunately clad in an ill-fitting green-and yellow suit, was undaunted an had the large and diverse crowd on hand in stitches, as he proceeded to "do the double" of both paying tribute to the night's guest of honour, Usain Bolt and roasting his already maligned rival, American Justin Gatlin. It was a bravura performance that the Legend himself surely appreciated.

Performance company ASHE, smartly attired as expected took "Rise Up"maybe the best sports tribute song ever recorded (though one could make a case for K'nan's "Wavin' Flag") and adapted the Reggae Boyz' football tribute to the occasion, bringing their signature combination of slick choreography and genuine brio. Another young lady Simone Saure also did Bolt and the country proud with a sung-rap-deejay combo in tribute to the great man.

These entertaining items were interspersed between the "more serious" stuff: tributes, beginning with Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association President Warren Blake, followed by the visibly moved President of the North and Central American Caribbean Association Victor Lopez, the IAAF President Lord COe, via video, and the uniquely eloquent Christopher Samuda, head of the Jamaica Olympic Association. Sports Minister Babsy Grange, beaming throughout, took the audience back to 2002, when the very National Stadium she stood before was the scene of Bolt's first international triumph (in the 200m at the World Junior Games)  while Prime Minister Andrew Holness could not resist a friendly jab at Opposition Leader Peter Phillips (who preceded him at the podium) in defending his decision to go to Rio to see Bolt compete in the 2016 Olympics (his last, as it turns out).

In his response, Bolt started out on a characteristically light note by saying his girlfriend Kasi Bennett (seated beside him) had "left his speech" forcing him to improvise. And he did, quite well, of course, thanking everyone and expressing amazement at the fact "a barefoot boy from Trelawny" could have gone on to scale the unprecedented heights that he has. He pledged to continue to giving to the sport in his retirement phase and saluted his fans around the world, all to rapturous applause.

And so came the moment of truth. Even though the fabric covering Basil Watson's handiwork was a bit stubborn at first, it soon gave way and the world got its first look at the newest occupant of the Stadium's Gallery of Statues, already decorated by the likes of Arthur Wint, Don Quarrie, Merlene Ottey and others, with more set to join them.

The smartphone cameras silenced (only momentarily; they would be busy throughout the night) and the formalities over, the audience decamped to the foreground of the Grandstand for cocktails and a short but lively entertainment package hosted by "Vibemaster"Jerry D and featuring Jahmiel, Suga (of Rising Star fame) and Busy Signal - the latter appropriately clad in full black.

A fitting end to a monumental night. The birds, long since satisfied with the proceedings, rested.