Post date: Aug 05, 2012 9:5:42 PM
Brixton Splash, a local annual festival that celebrates community diversity, put on an event to mark 50 years of Jamaica's independence from Great Britain, as well as bring it's large Jamaican community together to watch the two favourites for the 100m Olympic final -- Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake -- race to be known as the world's fastest man.
Police did not immediately release any comment on the arrests, or confirm the number of arrests.
Brixton was the scene of much of last August's riots.
At least two people are arrested as Jamaicans in the south London area of Brixton gather to watch Usain Bolt race in the 100 metres Olympic final, and celebrate 50 years since Jamaican independence.
LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (AUGUST 5, 2012) (REUTERS) - At least two people were arrested in the south London area of Brixton on Sunday (August 5) as a heavy police presence watched over thousands of people gathering ahead of the men's 100m final, and the appearance of Usain Bolt.
At the festival was Jamaica's minister for industry, investment and commerce, Anthony Hylton, who said that this year's celebration, more than any other, would leave a lasting memory.
"Well I think this year is special for a number of reasons: Part of it is the 30th Olympiad year here in London, but also part of it is because of Jamaica's 50th anniversary, so I think a combination of London, the Olympiad, Usain Bolt, and what happened last night with Shelly-Ann Fraser, what is likely to happen tonight, I think all come together to make a confluence of very exciting things," he said.
Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser won the women's 100m final on Saturday (August 4).
Roger, a Jamaican reveller at the Splash festival, said the celebrations in Brixton were well natured.
"Jamaica, you know we are a loving people. Anywhere we go across the world we make a mark in terms of our culture. Today we are here celebrating for our 50th anniversary and it is lovely, it's just a joy," he said.
Another reveller, Janice, said Sunday's festival was not just important for Jamaicans.
"Brixton being so multi-cultural, but here especially, we need everyone to be getting along together -- we're living in a community, there needs to be a lot more harmony living in the community," she said.
Much of the attention at the festival focussed on Usain Bolt, with flags and car bonnets decorated with images of the current world record holder over 100m.
Bolt sent out a chilling message to his rivals that the Jamaican defending champion is fully fit and remains the man to beat in the Olympic 100 metres as he romped to victory in his semi-final in 9.87 seconds on Sunday (August 5).
There had been fears that Bolt was still struggling with a tight hamstring but he looked lithe and loose and, easing up with 30 metres to go and on form to win the final later on Sunday (August 5) and possibly threaten his world record of 9.58 seconds.
American Justin Gatlin, the 2004 winner who is back in action after a doping ban, impressively won the first heat in 9.82. However, former world record holder Asafa Powell was only third in 9.94 and was hoping to scrape into the final as a fast loser despite getting a great start.
The 100m men's final will be run at 9:50 p.m. (2050GMT).