The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Global Campus will confer an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree on outstanding Grenadian sprinter Kirani James, in recognition of his excellence in athletics, during its upcoming Virtual Graduation Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, 9 November 2024, at 6 pm EC.
The ceremony will be streamed live via www.uwitv.org and on UWItv’s channels on Flow EVO and Facebook Live. This year’s celebration is especially meaningful, as it embraces the theme Celebrating Caribbean Legacy: A Kaleidoscope of Resilience, highlighting UWI’s enduring legacy across the Region.
Kirani James is a highly accomplished athlete renowned for his success in the 400 metres (m). He has secured gold medals at the World Championships (2011), the London Olympics (2012), and the Commonwealth Games (2014). James began his athletic career in the small fishing village of Gouyave, St John, where he joined the SpeedZone Club at age 13 and quickly made an impact by setting record times for his age group. His early achievements include winning gold at the Carifta Games in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, as well as breaking Usain Bolt’s U20 400m record in 2009.
Internationally, he won gold in the 400m at the Commonwealth Youth Games (2007) and earned silver at both the World Youth Championships (2007) and the World Junior Championships (2008). He also became the first athlete to achieve a 200m/400m double at the 2009 World Youth Championships and won 400m gold at the World Junior Championships in 2010.
James attended the University of Alabama on an athletic scholarship, competing under the coaching and mentorship of Olympic gold medalist Harvey Glance. He won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Outdoor Championship title in his first two years and recorded a personal best of 43.74 seconds at the 2014 Diamond League, where he also claimed gold in 2011, 2015, 2022, and 2023.
James is one of 9 athletes to win world championships at the youth, junior, and senior levels, solidifying his status as one of the most decorated 400m athletes in history. His accolades include 3 World Championship medals (Gold in 2011, Bronze in 2015, and Silver in 2022) and 3 Olympic medals (Gold in 2012, Silver in 2016, and Bronze in 2020), making him the first to win 3 individual 400m Olympic medals. He was Grenada’s first and only Olympic medallist until the Paris Games 2024. He has been named Grenada’s Athlete of the Year 4 times and was ranked number one in the World for the 400m in 2011, 2012, and 2014. In December 2012, Caribbean Journal named James and Jamaica’s Usain Bolt Co-Sportsmen of the Year.
Outside of track and field, James holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Business and serves on the Board of Directors of the Windward Islands Research & Education Foundation (WINDREF) and its Sport for Health programme. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), the Order of Grenada (COG), and the title of Sports Ambassador for Grenada. He was also honoured as Grenada Sportsman of the Year in 2009 and received the Austin Sealy Trophy that same year for the most outstanding athlete at the Carifta Games.
In his profile, James expressed, “With 4 Olympic final appearances, I strive to inspire others through my journey and passion for the sport. I am committed to continuous improvement and fostering a positive and supportive community for fellow athletes. I am rooted in the belief that dedication, consistency, and teamwork are key to success both on and off the track.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Global Campus Dr Francis O Severin applauds Kirani James and welcomes this moment. He urges that “The UWI continues to be fully conscious of its human environment and the impact of our people in fostering and upholding a One Caribbean Civilization. This high academic accolade is timely, especially in light of the top performances of our Eastern Caribbean countries in this year’s Summer Olympics. It further confirms the tremendous strength of our people in numerous spheres. We are happy to celebrate us, collectively. Well done, Kirani. Well done, Grenada.”
The UWI
