Usain Bolt ... has had a whirlwind summer. - Ricardo Makyn

Life in the fast lane slows down for Olympic champion Usain Bolt as he enters his off season and returns home this afternoon following a dream summer for the Jamaican sprinter.

When his plane lands at the Norman Manley International Airport at 1:15 p.m., Bolt will be greeted by a number of dig-nitaries, including Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange.

Unlike the pace he used to win three gold medals, all in world record time in Beijing last month, Bolt will be leisurely escorted in a motorcade in a convertible car from the airport to The Jamaica Pegasus hotel where a press con-ference is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Organiser of the welcome party, the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, re-leased a statement saying: "Bolt's welcome will launch the start of several activities planned by the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports to commence in October when all the members of Jamaica's Beijing Olympic team will return to the island on a special flight. They will lead a motorcade through the streets of Kingston, accompanied by spe-cially designed floats and effigies of the medal winners."

WORLD'S ATTENTION

From May 31 when Bolt sup-planted fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell (Bolt ran 9.72 to better Powell's 9.74 record) as the world's fastest man in New York to his season-ending duel with his compatriot in Belgium on Friday, Bolt has held the world's att-ention. Bolt mania peaked during the Beijing Olympics when he won the 100m (9.69), 200m (19.30) and sprint relay (37.10) and popularised a few of Jamaica's dance moves in his celebrations. He also ensured the world saw which spikes donned the feet of this Olympic champion.

Bolt's fine form continued after the Olympics. Days after leaving Beijing, he competed in the 100m at the Zurich Golden League on August 29 and posted 9.83 seconds. He then ran a comfortable 19.63 in the 200m in Switzerland last Tuesday (the fourth-fastest time ever) before coming from behind to beat Powell on Friday - 9.77 to 9.83.

Bolt, Powell and the other 52 Olympians will be duly recognised by the Government next month.

Commenting on plans for the Olympic celebrations, Grange said: "We have had short notice, but we are pulling out all the stops to make this celebration a fitting tribute to the glory our Olympic athletes have brought to Jamaica. We want to show our pride and our gratitude to these young men and women of Jamaica, and to showcase them as role models for our youth and symbols of excellence for our entire population at home and abroad."

MOTORCADE ROUTE FOR USAIN BOLT

1. Depart tarmac at Norman Manley International Airport - escorted through gate one.

2. Drive along departure and arrival route to exit airport.

3. Travel to Harbour View roundabout.

4. East to Mountain View Avenue.

5. Left on Arthur Wint Drive.

6. Right on Tom Redcam Avenue.

7. Across traffic light on to Oxford Road.

8. Right on Knutsford Boulevard.

9. Right into Jamaica Pegasus.