KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange says her ministry is providing financial support to the tune of US$200,000 to the Racers Grand Prix expected to be Usain Bolt’s final performance on local soil.

Grange today announced the funding at the launch of the Racers Grand Prix at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. 

She said she was happy that this year’s Racers Grand Prix will be in honour of Bolt whom she describes as “Jamaica’s greatest athletic son” and the “world’s greatest athlete.”

According to a release from the ministry, Grange also announced that the Government was on track to complete a “lasting tribute to this great son of Jamaica — an eight foot statue that will be mounted in Independence Park.” 

Grange said the statue is due to be completed by Independence Day and the mounting is scheduled to coincide with Bolt’s final World Championship in August.

“Bolt, the legend, will be spoken about and studied by athletes for generations to come,” said Grange.  “I am determined that Jamaica will do its part in memorialising and celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime athlete,” she added.

Three of the world’s finest athletes will join Bolt at the second staging of the Jamaica National (JN) Racers Grand Prix dubbed “Salute to a Legend”.

Kenya’s David Rudisha, who is the first and only person to ever run under 1:41s for the 800m, holding the record of 1:40.91; Mo Farah, the most successful British track athlete in modern Olympic Games history; and South Africa’s 400m world record holder Wayde Van Neikerk will lead the all-star cast gracing the National Stadium track on June 10.