Kimoni Harris/Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporters

Asafa Powell accepts a gift from Errol Miller, vice-president in charge of corporate communication at Cable and Wireless, his sponsor. - Winston Sill photos

Asafa Powell, Olympic 400x100m gold medalist and Rose-Marie White, Olympic 400x400m bronze medalist, arrived home at approximately 7 p.m yesterday.

There was a buzz in the waiting area as Powell and White graced the walk-way. They were greeted by Powell's parents, Reverends Cislyn and William Powell, sports minister Olivia Grange, members of the sporting fraternity and school mates from the University of Technology.

Powell and White proceeded to the VIP Lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport where they were applauded and congratulated by the minister who said, "this is becoming a hobby, we are here almost every day welcoming our Olympians. It's so good to have you home, Rosie and Asafa, you have done us proud."

When Powell got the chance to speak he said, "I have to thank God for bringing us home safely, thanks to my mom and dad, my biggest supporters and my brothers for always motivating me, telling me to go on".

White thanked her aunt Janet Brown and coach Maurice Wilson. She said she could not have reached the Olympics without him.

Olympian Rose-Marie White (2nd left), hugs her aunt Janet Brown as she walks with Asafa Powell (2nd right), who hugs his mother Cislyn (right) and sports minister Olivia Grange, shortly after they arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.

Asafa speaks with his mom Cislyn, shortly after arriving

Outside the VIP Lounge, Powell was met by a group of vociferous supporters, made up mostly of a large contingent from the University of Technology (Utech), who travelled to the airport in a chartered bus. They greeted his arrival, with deafening screams and shouts. So eager were they to see their hero that they offered loud cheers for everyone leaving the lounge, stopping midway when they realised Powell was not among the groups.

When Powell finally appeared he was met with cheers of 'fastest man alive, fastest man alive.' Fellow Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser, was among the supporters.

Asafa 'rolled out' of the airport in his favourite car, a Mercedes Benz, which was parked in a no parking zone. One airport worker who was reprimanded as the vehicle should not be in that space, said, "You know a how much fi that vehicle, a $22 million fi dat, mek it park anyway it waan park."

People who gathered outside the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday waiting Olympians Asafa Powell's and Rose-Marie White's arrival.