World and Olympic 400 m champion Kirani James finally returns home to his native Grenada this week following his record-breaking performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Professional commitments and his studies delayed his return to Grenada.

James will arrive at the Maurice Bishop International Airport at approximately 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, August 30. Thousands are expected to welcome the Grenadian gold medal champion upon his arrival.

Grenada officials note that the celebration will continue on Saturday, September 1 (his 20th birthday) with a national motorcade parade that will conclude with a rally at the National Stadium in St. Georges. Officials note that as part of this rally, a number of surprises are in store for the newly-crowned Olympic champion.

Continuing with the festivities, on Sunday, September 2, a Youth Motivational Program will be launched in James’ village in the western fishing town of Gouyave.

After winning the gold, Prime Minister Tillman Thomas gave Grenada the afternoon off declaring it a “national holiday.”

James is an undergraduate at the University of Alabama studying business.

Known as the “Spice of the Caribbean,” Grenada boasts some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, delectable cuisine and spices, a tropical rainforest, and a wide range of fun-filled activities such as diving, snorkeling, hiking, fishing, and sailing. Grenada can be reached from the US by Delta Airlines’ and Caribbean Air’s nonstop service from New York. Grenada can also be reached daily by American Eagle, via San Juan, and by American Airlines via its non-stop Miami service. Grenada is a proud member of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP).