Grenada to name new stadium after Olympic champion Kirani James

A jubilant Kirani James of Grenada after winning the 400m gold. PHOTO/Getty Images

Grenada will name a new sports stadium after a young track athlete – Kirani James, who won the nation’s first Olympic gold medal.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas says the unfinished stadium will be named after 400-meter champ Kirani James when it is completed.

Thomas also said Saturday that the nation will introduce a stamp commemorating James’ Olympic victory.

James gave Grenada its first Olympic medal in London when he won the 400-meter race in 43.94 seconds.

James became the first non-U.S. athlete to run the 400 in less than 44 seconds. He also was the first non-U.S. winner of the race since the 1980 Moscow Games.

Thousands of islanders crowded outside an airport on Thursday to welcome back the 19-year-old runner nicknamed “The Jaguar.”

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press