(SportsMax) 2012 Olympic 400m champion Kirani was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by the University of the West Indies on Saturday.
The 32-year-old was awarded the honorary doctorate at UWI’s Virtual Graduation Ceremony on Saturday in recognition of his excellence in athletics.
“I am truly humbled and privileged to be here to celebrate this honor,” James said during the ceremony.
“When I set out in athletics, the main goal was to try to be the best I can be and try to uplift myself and my family. I remember that moment when sat and I prayed to God and just asked God for an opportunity. I’ve never taken my situation for granted. I know that it’s more than me. I’m ultimately just a small part of a bigger picture here to honor God and for us to be the best we can be,” James added.
James is one of nine 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.
In addition to his 2012 Olympic title in London, he has secured gold medals at the World Championships (Daegu 2011) and the Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2014).
James also medaled at the Olympics in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021, making him the only man to medal at three Olympics in the event.
He also was on the podium at the World Championships in Beijing in 2015 and Eugene in 2022.
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 also excelled at the collegiate level where he won a pair of NCAA titles competing for the University of Alabama.
