KESHORN Walcott was yesterday given a five-bedroom house “fit for a champion” along with 20 000 square feet of “picturesque” land in Cumana, Toco by the State for his gold medal-winning performance at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
Walcott intends to move into his home sometime before Christmas, once he gets furniture, and has decided to give the land to his parents.
On August 11, 2012 Walcott won the Olympic javelin gold medal with a throw of 84.58 metres.
On August 13, he returned to this country and was feted for his feat.
Among the goodies presented to Walcott by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar upon his return was a house in the upscale community of Federation Park valued at $2.5 million as well as the promise of land in Toco.
The home in Federation Park, however, proved to be ill-suited for Walcott.
He was yesterday instead given a TT $2.67 million home from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) located at 46-47 Astoria Avenue, East Grove, Valsayn.
Walcott’s home is two standard HDC single family unit homes which have been converted into one.
Walcott’s two-storey home consists of 3 250 square feet on the ground floor and 1,500 square feet on the first floor.
It has five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a yard, but no fence.
The yard is one of the key elements that prompted Walcott to choose this property over the one at Federation Park.
“I think it (choosing East Grove, Valsayn) was the best agreement I made, it is more fitting for me knowing that the space into the back, knowing I can do exercises, I can train if I choose not to go to the stadium on a lazy day so I am thankful for this,” Walcott said.
It is also somewhat reminiscent of Toco, he said.
“I am not really the type to live in enclosed areas, when this (the option of the East Valsayn house) came up I kind of ran with this one. As you can see it was a better idea for me, I don’t know, most people might think different, but I think it was a great decision,” he said.
Walcott said he would move into his East Valsayn home as “soon as I get furniture”.
One change Walcott said he intends make to the landscape of his new home is the planting of trees, including a “mango tree to keep practicing”.
In a simple ceremony held at the site, Walcott signed the deeds for his new East Valsayn home as well as his land in Toco.
Persad-Bissessar who delivered the feature address said she was gratified that the government could honour Walcott for his accomplishments.
She described Walcott’s new home as one “fit for a champion”. (Trinidad Express/SAT)
