The celebration began on Friday with a massive motorcade through Kingston and a fund raising dinner for the Jamaican athletics called 'Dining with the Stars Under the Stars' at Strawberry Hill  Hotel overlooking the city of Kingston.

According to reports, the dinner was a near disaster since a break-down in key kitchen prevented it from serving dinner in a timely manner, resulting in unexpected delays at the $15,000-a-plate function. Many of the athletes, coaching staff and other members of Jamaica's delegation to the Olympics, who were part of the motorcade that ran over the allotted time schedule were seriously impacted since they had not eaten prior to arriving at the hotel.

The hotel's upscale restaurant apologised "unreservedly to the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Bank of Nova Scotia, the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, the Jamaica Olympic Association, the athletes and all companies and individuals who came out to support the dinner.

"Our disappointment can only be matched by yours," a release read.

As a result, Strawberry Hill has offered Friday night's dinner clientele a complimentary Sunday brunch or dinner for two within the next 60 days.

On Saturday, despite the inclement weather, the National Sports Gala honouring Jamaica's Olympians started as planned at the National Stadium.

The event featured an award ceremony during which athletes and sporting personnel were conferred with national honours and awards.

Howard Aries, President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association, was conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD) in the rank of commander class, for service in the promotion of track and field in Jamaica.

Triple world record holder Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Asafa Powell, coach Glen Mills and 1976 Olympic 200 meters gold medalist, Donald Quarrie, were also conferred with the Order of Distinction.

Nester Carter, Brigette Foster-Hylton, Shelly-Ann Frazer, Michael Frater, Danny McFarlane, Dwight Thomas and Melaine Walker were each presented with Medal of Honours.

On Sunday evening, a religious service and gospel concert were held at Emancipation Park.

Today, athletes will make a homecoming visit to schools in Kingston & St Catherine followed by a visit to rural area schools on Wednesday. 

On Tuesday, residents of the western end of the island will get their turn to embrace the Olympians, as there will be a motorcade travelling from Montego Bay, St. James to Falmouth, Trelawny.

There will be a Western Gala at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium on Wednesday to close out the week long celebration.