It was the country's second Olympic gold medal, coming 36 years after Hasely Crawford's gold medal in the 100 metre event at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
(Watch Crawford's winning sprint)
Persad Bissessar said Walcott's medal is a gift to the nation "in the year of our Independence Golden Jubilee".
"Keshorn Walcott has made us immensely proud with every single citizen of
our country rejoicing in his historic achievement," Pertsad-Bissessar declared in an official statement.
She noted that many young people have only heard the story of jubilation and national pride when Hasley Crawford won gold for the 100m men’s final in 1976, but today, "a new generation can feel that joy and know that it is one of their very own generation who has brought us such elation."
The Prime Minister commended Walcott, 19, for emerging as the very best in his event. "This is the level of achievement our athletes can reach when they have the support of their families, their communities and their country," she said.
The Prime Minister added, "the bronze medal performances of our 4x100m and
4x400 men’s relay teams and the Lalonde Gordon's bronze in the Men's 400m
have given us even more reasons to rejoice as Team T&T has performed
marvellously and our athletes must be celebrated and highly praised for
going to London with a mission and together, achieving that mission.”
She added, “All of our athletes who competed deserve the highest recognition for the manner in which they have represented us, we are proud of them and indeed, shall honour their achievements in a manner befitting their discipline,
sportsmanship and accomplishments.
sportsmanship and accomplishments.
"They have given Trinidad and Tobago a most priceless gift as in the year of our 50th anniversary of Independence they took our country onto the world stage and they showed the world that even as a small island State our passion, our people and our achievements are boundless."
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