Merlene Ottey.
Legendary Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey, who is set to receive one of two lifetime achievement awards at Friday's RJR National Sportsman and Sportswoman Awards ceremony, has reacted with humility to the honour.
Ottey, who has won seven individual Olympic, 10 individual world championship and six indoor medals, arrived in Jamaica Wednesday night.
"I was a bit surprised because I’ve not done much competing and to still be recognized here in Jamaica, especially when you have so many super stars now, I’m very thrilled and really appreciate this honour," she told RJR Sports.
Ottey has won the prestigious Sportswoman Award 13 times.
Mike McCallum to also be recognized
Meanwhile, boxer Michael McCallum, winner of world titles at three weight divisions will be the other recipient of the life time award.
McCallum, who has won the Sportsman of the year award seven times, is scheduled to arrive in the country on Thursday.
He won the World Boxing Council (WBC) middle weight, World Boxing Association middleweight championship and the WBC light heavyweight championship between 1984 and 1994.
He had a professional record of 49-5-1 which included 36 knockouts.
He was never knocked out as a professional.
JA has solid history of excellence in athletes – Moses
In the meantime, Edwin Moses, guest speaker at this year’s RJR Sports Foundation Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, along with two nominees Nickiesha Wilson and Dorian Scott arrived in Jamaica Wednesday afternoon.
Moses, a two time Olympic champion and two time world champion over 400 metres hurdles, is no stranger to Jamaica, having even competed here.
While some critics have been questioning the recent success of Jamaican athletes in track and field, some even suggesting doping, Moses had a different view.
"Jamaica's track and field goes back to the mid ‘40s. There’s a solid history of guys like George Rowden, Arthur Wint and Herb Mckenley and all the other guys who ran in the 1950s. I think that has set the trend for all that’s now happening in Jamaica and as I tell people all the time, it’s no accident that you have all these world class athletes who are doing well right now as they have all these role models to look up to," Moses told RJR Sports.
Wilson & Scott honoured by nomination
Wilson, the 2010 Commonwealth Games 400 metres hurdles bronze medalist and winner at the IAAF Continental Cup is no stranger to being nominated for the sportswoman of the year award.
"I feel good. I was nominated in 2007, so it’s always good to be recognized, it’s a good feeling.”
Scott meanwhile, who won silver in the men's shott putt at the 2010 Commonwealth Games for the second time in his career, says he was not even expecting a nomination.
"I'm just happy that people recognized how I did this season … it’s a real honour to be nominated," he said.
Another set of overseas based nominees including commonwealth games 100 metres champion Lerone Clarke are expected in Jamaican Thursday evening.
All feeds
