Olympian Natoya Goule was recognised in her community of Top Coffee Grove in Manchester on Saturday (October 16) where a road was renamed in her honour.

Natoya Goule Avenue was officially named with a sign bearing her picture at a ceremony that was attended by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Olivia Grange.

The 30-year-old Goule, who made her first Olympic final in Tokyo in August said she felt venerated by the occasion.

“Thinking back on this journey, standing here in this moment being honoured by my community is especially gratifying,” said the Manchester High School alum.

“I am so thankful for this recognition, it means a lot that my hard work, perseverance and consistency had not gone unnoticed. This momentous (occasion) stands as a testimony to all those who aspire and work towards their goals,” Goule added.

Minister Grange said she was happy to be part of the occasion as Goule has been a beacon for Jamaica and her community.

“I was most pleased to be on hand for the unveiling of the road sign in honour of Olympian track star, Natoya Goule in Manchester,” she said.

“Natoya has done us proud in an outstanding career on the track and is thoroughly deserving of this honour bestowed on her. Welcome, indeed, to Natoya Goule Avenue in Top Coffee Grove in Manchester,” Minister Grange remarked further.

The occasion would be the icing on the cake for the diminutive middle-distance runner, who has enjoyed success after graduating from Manchester High School, an institution for which she won many medals at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships.

She won NCAA 800m titles at both Louisiana State University and Clemson University under the guidance of her coach Mark Elliott.

In this past season, arguably her best ever, the 2019 Pan American Games champion, advanced to her first Olympic final and she won her first Diamond League race in Brussels on September 3. She was third in the Diamond League finals on September 9.

Goule holds the national record of 1:56.15 set in 2018 and ran a season-best 1:56.44 while finishing second in the two-lapper at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm on July 4.