Congratulations!

I echo what all the pot covers, loudspeakers and letter writers have been shouting: congratulations to a stellar group of athletes who have brought much favour to Jamaica.

I also want to add my own suggestion to the long (and growing!) 'to-do' list of how we should best commemorate this historic moment.

Along with the plaques, monuments, buildings, honorary titles, parades, etc, I propose that the relevant ministries partner with private sector entities to develop a literacy campaign featuring our athletes as champion readers.

What simpler and better way to show that we are a great nation, than to demonstrate to our youth that we stand for intellectual as well as athletic excellence!

- Long Bench, longbench@gmail.com, St Ann

Jamaica: We nuh 'linga'!

I have been crying since Saturday, August 16, and there is no letting up. Each time I think that I am in control of my emotions, another race is won, another record is broken. They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place. Well, Bolt proved this theory wrong. I take this opportunity to 'big up' the track and field team from Jamaica, you are doing us proud.

Jamaica land, we love! We nuh 'linga'. The Jamaican flag is flying high in Trinidad and Tobago.

- Collette, Mt Lambert

San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago

Bursting with pride

I am a Jamaican living in England, but at this time my loyalties are divided. I am bursting with pride and elation at what little Jamaica has achieved in Beijing. As Britons, we take it for granted that Britain will win medals, but Jamaica has put Britain to shame by breaking so many records.

The team members are all winners because they have participated, even if they did not win a medal, but Bolt is the name that is on everybody's lips.

He has put us even higher in the echelons of the world. This is truly magnificent.

- J Ellis, jojcecellis@btinternet.com

Lancashire, England

Impacting the world

'Pity Mi Lickle' is the nickname commonly used to describe the little red ants that crawled around our house in Manchester where I grew up. This creature is tiny in size, but its bite, which left you stinging for hours, made you sit up and pay attention. Such is the impact that my little native country continues to have on the entire world.

That Jamaica produces outstanding talents is clearly demonstrated by the effect reggae has had on the entire world. On a daily basis, as I drive down the streets of San Diego, California, I often hear the nostalgic rhythms of reggae emitting from a nearby car. I peer at the driver beside me to see if I will recognise a fellow Jamaican. But the driver is either a Caucasian or a Mexican rocking to the rhythms of Bob Marley.

At times like this, I chuckle in sheer delight. The impact Jamaica has had on the world was again emphasised by Usain Bolt's phenomenal performance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

- Barbara Marilyn Roe legalaide2007@gmail.com

Chula Vista, California