Roxroy McLean, Gleaner Writer

Shelly-Ann Fraser will be given a heroine's welcome on her return home to Waterhouse, St Andrew, according to her uncle, Kirk Simpson.

The hometown heroine's 10.78s win in the 100m in Beijing on Sunday lifted the spirits of the residents and instilled a sense of pride within the oftentimes volatile community.

Celebrations

The celebrations poured out into the streets with residents banging pot covers, jumping and dancing. However, Simpson thinks she deserves more.

Simpson said that a clean-up of the community is on, a mural of the athlete is to be done and a party is planned for her arrival.

Clean streets

"Right now as I speak, a photo of Shelly will be on the wall soon," the proud uncle said. Simpson said the idea came from a friend of his after Sunday night's celebration party on Ashoka Road.

"The streets clean already. Next, we a go paint it (the sidewalks) in yellow and green," said Simpson.

A past student of Wolmer's High School for Girls, Fraser's time has been ranked the second-fastest national time to Merlene Ottey's 10.74s.

"When she arrives, there will be a big show waiting, we are trying to book artiste," Simpson, who plans to foot the bill himself, said.

"Shelly has done something very special for us, and that is why we are doing back for her," he added.