KINGSTON, Feb 14: The honors keep piling up for triple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt, who was named Jamaica’s Sportsman of the Year for 2008 on Friday.

The announcement by the RJR Sports Foundation came as no surprise. Bolt, who electrified the Beijing Games with victories in the 100m and 200m as well as the 4x100m relay — all in world record times — had already been feted as his country’s athlete of the year.

Olympic gold medallists Veronica Campbell-Brown and Melaine Walker shared the Sportswoman of the Year award.

Bolt, who opens his season on Saturday at a local meet in the 400m, welcomed his first Sportsman of the Year award.

“It feels good, but most importantly, it’s better when you are being recognised by your own country,” he said.

West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor, who destroyed England with five wickets for 11 runs in nine overs in the first Test match at Sabina Park last week, was runner-up to Bolt.

Walker, who won the Olympic 400m hurdles gold in a games record 52.64, was grateful.

Shelly-Ann Fraser, the first Jamaican woman to win the 100m title, collected the People’s Choice Award, voted on by the Jamaican public.—AFP