Calabar's Warren Weir wins Olympic 200m bronze

Warren Weir was born in Refuge Trelawny on October 21st 1989 which explains his phrase 'Di whole a Trelawny' in a post race interview. He moved to Portmore to live with his father, attended Calabar and was vice-captain of Calabar's winning track team. But he was a sprint hurdler and a pretty good one at that with a personal best of 13.65 seconds in the 100M hurdles in June 2007. However he suffered a series of injuries particularly with the stress of hurdling that kept him from being a household name prior to 2012.
It was after joining Racers Track Club that his career took a turn for the stellar. How Glen Mills saw a future 200m star in the slightly built, oft injured hurdler only he knew, but it was a genius move by the master coach. But it was Warren, with his training, dedication and heart, and his belief in his ability and his coach that made 2012 what it was. And what a year it was. In a series of races Warren recorded a set of low 20 second times at meets in New York, the Cayman Islands and Kingston, showing a consistency that made him a rising star to watch.
But first came the Jamaica trials and Warren was immersed in the most impressively deep 200 metre field in any country's history. With Bolt and Blake expected to get the top two spots the race for the third spot was between Nickel Ashmeade, Nesta Carter, Julian Forte and Jason Young. And fight he did, clinging to the wings of the plane to London, and remembering the instructions of coach Glen Mills to hold his form Warren ended up 3rd in 20.03 just ahead of Ashmeade.
Then came the big stage of the London Olympics. Some men wilt under pressure and some rise to the occasion. Warren took it in stride, at first enjoying the experience and becoming a vibes man in the Jamaican camp. Showing an impressive second talen, Warren produced two popular behind the scenes video of the Jamaican team at their Birmingham training village and at the opening ceremony in London. Jovial off-track, but serious on-track, Warren produced a stunning series of races - looking easy in his 200m heat, then just losing to Martina in the semis before sealing the Jamaican 1-2-3 in the finals.
It has been 60 years since Herb McKinley stood on the podium - in Helsinki in 1952. Then came Warren Weir in a post-race interview to proclaim the pride of being a Calabar Old Boy and remembering the great man Herb - on the BBC no less. The great school and the great man and the soon-to-be great Warren Weir on the greatest stage of all - The Utmost for the Highest.
Warren can be following on twitter at @Warren_Weir, on Facebook and you can watch his #TeamJamaica videos Chilspot#1 and Chilspot#2 on youtube.
C'Bar Old Boys' Association unveils tribute sign at McKenley's grave
BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sport Editor - Jamaica Observer
Thursday, July 12, 2012
AS he did in his long and colourful life, Herb McKenley still manages to draw praise and admiration even at his final resting place at the National Heroes Park located in the Jamaican capital.
At an unveiling of a tribute sign erected to stand watch over the legendary Olympian and "father" of Jamaica's track and field, former Prime Minister of Jamaica PJ Patterson led the tear-jerking tributes on Tuesday.

Calabar boys deliver 'Champs' for 100th year
GREEN PLATTER!
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer Senior Reporter
Sunday, April 01, 2012
CALABAR High captured their 23rd lien on the Mortimer Geddes Trophy for the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships at the National Stadium, on March 30, to celebrate their 100th anniversary in fine style.
The green and black-clad standard bearers from Red Hills Road amassed 287.5 to beat Kingston College (KC) 265, and dethroned champion Jamaica College (JC) 220.5, with Wolmer's Boys' fourth on 140.
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