Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Chin

Songstress Tessanne Chin left the island yesterday for Bejing, China as part of the entertainment package for the Puma Jamaica Olympics 2008 Closing Party on Saturday, August 23.

According to Chin, the invitation came from the Chinese Government through the Jamaican Ambassador to China and has been in the works for about a year.

Honoured

"I feel honoured to be able to go over there not only to perform, but to represent our country ... this is a big accomplishment for every artiste in Jamaica and I want to open a market for Jamaican entertainers there," she commented. Chin added that as far as she was aware there will be no other performer at the party.

Chin, who came on the local scene in 1996 with the hit, Hideaway, said that she was impressed with Jamaica's performance.

"I am proud of everybody who has the guts to follow their dreams and get there and to get their bodies trained. The fact that they are winning is an added bonus," she said.

PUMA is the official sponsor of the Jamaica team. And, Usain Bolt joined the PUMA athletic team in 2002, when he won the World Junior Championship 200m title in Jamaica. During his world record - breaking run on Saturday, Bolt wore the Complete Theseus II - the PUMA performance track and field shoe - and a sleeveless outfit from the running collection.