Hero’s Welcome Home For First Turks & Caicos Olympian

Olympian Delano Williams was welcomed home in fine style on Sept. 1, 2016. (NAN image)

Delano Williams (r) with a fan and sponsor, l.. (NAN image)

Fireworks added to the celebratory welcome home party for Delano Williams. (NAN image)

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos, Sun. Sept. 4, 2016: Turks & Caicos islanders threw an island-wide party in TCI on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 to welcome home their first and only Olympian, Delano Williams back to the islands.

The hero’s welcome began with a motorcade from the airport that welcomed back the top athlete who competed in the just concluded Rio 2016 Olympics.

Williams ran for Britain in the Men’s 4x400m relay since TCI, a British dependent territory, cannot have its own team in an Olympics.

But British team – after initially claiming victory in their heat – was disqualified over a violation at the third changeover as Matthew Hudson-Smith handed the baton to Martyn Rooney.

Still TCI islanders celebrated Williams like Jamaicans celebrated Usain Bolt. After the motorcade, Williams was celebrated at a public open air party – complete with fireworks – by sponsors Flow and island officials including Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing.

As hundreds screamed and danced to the Dwayne Bravo song ‘Champion,’ Williams was presented with an official government medal from the Premier as the country’s tourism ministry showcased a special documentary on the life of the 22-year-old who was born to a Haitian mother in TCI and trains in Jamaica.

The Munro College Jamaica alumnus then took to the stage, insisting: “Dreams do come true … when you put God first.”

He also said he is already eyeing the 2020 Olympics in Japan and is aiming to go for both the relay and individual “gold.”