Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (right) and Andrew Gallimore, the state minister of labour and social security, greet Tanto Campbell, winner of Jamaica's lone medal (bronze) at the Paralympics, on the team's return to the island yesterday. The ministers hosted a reception inside the airport's VIP lounge. - Colin Hamliton/Freelance Photographer

WITH FAR less fanfare, pomp and pageantry than their Olympic compatriots, Jamaica's Paralympic team returned to Jamaica yesterday.

On its arrival, the team of four athletes and four officials was met at the Norman Manley International Airport by Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and Andrew Gallimore, the state minister of labour and social security.

Also included in the welcome party were president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Mike Fennell, Christopher Samuda, deputy chairman of the Paralympics association and Major General Robert Neish, chairman of the Digicel Foundation.

Neish and Tanto Campbell, winner of Jamaica's lone medal at the Games - a bronze, thanked the ministers for the best reception for any Paralympics or Special Olympic teams.

"This is the biggest welcome they have ever received," Neish said while praising all the athletes for achieving their personal bests.

Grange told the athletes, Campbell, Alphanso Cunningham, Vinette Green and Sylvia Grant, that they were all champions.

"You come home with a bronze medal, but it's like gold ... you made Jamaica special," Grange told them.

Minister Gallimore said: "You carried Jamaica's flag high ... I am sure every single disabled persons is even more proud of your performance."

personal best

Campbell, 22, who won bronze in the discus Class F56 event with a personal best 39.31m, said he was satisfied with his performance.

"I am excited, because is the biggest bronze I have ever won ... added to my season best," he said.

Cunningham, who finished fourth in the men's javelin Classes F53 and F54 combined, said: "I am disappointed not winning a medal, but I felt good doing a personal best, because I was throwing in a group I had never thrown in before."

- Anthony Foster