The North Western Parish of Trelawny was founded in 1770 in the Caribbean state of Jamaica and has been  famous for something humans hold really dear and a valuable commodity- Sugar. Home to many sugar estates and mills, it has been thriving part of the island. That is not only the commodity Trelawny is famous for.Nearly a quarter of millenium later, the residents of this fertile land were on cloud nine  during the warm August nights rejoicing on  the sweet rewards of Olympic glory.For Trelawny’s famous son celebrated the unmatchable  “triple triple ” on the track of Rio. Lightning had  truly hit Rio in the form of Usain Bolt.

Majestic as it sounds, the 11 time world champion overcame obstacles he has never been accustomed to in his career. There were critics  who doubted if he will be able to achieve the incredible feat of three consecutive golds in three different disciplines. The fastest man in the world became the biggest star thrashing the competition in 100 metres first in a time of 9.81 seconds , somewhat slow by his standards.He recaptured the limelight a few night s later with 19.78 in the 200 metres.It wasn’t over yet. On the penultimate night on the track , he helped Jamaica to their third straight gold in the relay anchoring the star quartet of Nickel Ashmeade, Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake to a season’s best of 37.27.Bolt became an Olympic legend. Gold wouldn’t have tasted this sweet for him as he took the bite of the medal.

Usain’s sprint counterparts did Jamaica proud as well. Omar McLeod took the 110 metre hurdles whilst Elaine Thompson became the sprint queen of Olympics.Like Usain,she secured the sprint double of 100 and 200 metres.Jamaica ended with  six golds in its tally of 11 medals,all on the track.Moments before Usain’s 100 metre run the shock of the track came in the 400 metres, where Wayde Van Niekerk obliterated the world and olympics record in a 43.03 run.His countryfellow Semanya Caster took the 800 metre tilte.

David Rudisha retained his 800 metre title and led the Kenyan gold rush on the track.The women had success in the 800, 1500 and 3,000 metre steeple chase as well as the Marathon. Elluid Kipchoge took the coveted final day Marathon in a canter.They finished with good haul of 13 medals.

Team USA, often known for track riches  found the field  equally productive. Both sets of long jump and shot put golds were won in addition to Christian Taylor ‘s triple jump win.Adam Eaton retained his decathlon gold.On the  track ,the women took the 100 and 400 metres hurdles courtesy Brianna Rollins and Dalillah Muhammad whilst the relay teams swept both the 400 metres.It was an interesting 100 metre relay after their  women initially lost the baton in heats then had the opportunity to participate in a solo standoff for qualification.Buoyed by the circumstances, the quartet of English Gardner, Tianna Bartoletta, Alyson Felix and Morolake Akinosun gave no second chances.

Four years ago in London, the loudest cheers on the track were reserved for Mo Farah for his 5 and 10k wins.So, it was unsurprising in Rio when the whole of Brazil was lit up by Thiago Braz Da Silva in the pole vault and he  leapt over the bar for the famous gold.As for Farah, he orchestrated a perfect “double double” again leading the field despite a fall in the He can hang a gold in each of his children now as he becomes the most successful Brit athlete.His  win was ever more exciting  as it took Team GB to overtake its 65 medal haul of London and one ahead of China overall in golds.British women took bronzes in both relays and Jessica Ennis Hill defending her heptathlon from London came in second to the 22 year old Belgian Nafissatou Thiam.

Away from the track in week two, there were other notable performances. Russia despite handicapped in the track and field  was victorius in rhythmic gymnastics synchronised and four fencing golds alongside the women’s  handball. They ended with nineteen golds in a haul of 56 medals.Germany with its canoeing prowess grabbed four golds in the sport  but Thomas Rohler’s javelin and Christoph’s Harting discus golds  would surely be the pride of Deutschland as they concluded with seventeen golds.

Whilst German  women also captured gold  in football ,their men faced the test of fate. History was to be made in the Maracana as finally the two most successful footballing nations but devoid of Olympic Gold matched up.Brazil and Germany. Neymar who had given up the chance to play in Copa America earlier in the year took the honours sealing the winning kick in the shootout. Brazil had no end to joy of their seventh and final gold !

Their neighbours and fierce sporting rivals Argentina matched novelty with Men’s hockey success beating Belgium and Maddie Hinch led Team GB to a huge upset again in a topsy turvy shootout win over the world and defending champions Netherlands as the Dutch were left in tears for the second successive year.To cap the team sports, the final event of Olympics brought gold once again to the undefeated Team USA.Kevin Durant, Paul George, De Andre Jordan might not be Bird, Jordan and Johnson of Barcelona but were top notch in the crushing win over Serbia. Team USA ended with 46 golds in an impressive tally of 121 medals,head and shoulders above the rest.

So Rio ended with showers from the heaven, athletes dancing and the Rio carnival performers enriching  its already superlative festival status. “Super Mario ” PM Shinzo Abe of Japan stole the show with his appearance as formally the Governor of Tokyo  inherited the Olympic flag.The sixteen days of sporting overdrive had come to pomp end. The torch was extinguished.Tokyo awaits in 2020.

A city known for its resplendent sunshine and beaches, the Bolts of Lightning from the sugar sweetened fields of Trelawny will always be associated as a marker of success for these Olympics. Bem Feito Rio !