Jamaican Flag to be Displayed on Empire State Building on August 23

The flag of Jamaica will be displayed on the world famous Empire State Building in New York City on Saturday, August 23, as one of the countries participating in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
A news release copied to Consul-General in New York, Geneive Brown Metzger, noted that the Empire State Building, would be celebrating the athletes of the participating countries at the 2008 Olympic Games over the next couple of weeks by bestowing its highest honour – lighting its tower.
The light show, in celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, began on August 7, with the United States and China taking centre stage.
The release noted that because Jamaica is one of the top 66 countries sending the most athletes to the 2008 Games, the decision was taken to include the island in the special lighting event. A record 205 countries are taking part in the Games of the 29th Olympiad, which ends on Sunday, August 24.
“The tower lights are known to recognise key milestones, events, causes and holidays throughout the world, and we are happy to honour your country by lighting our tower in your nation’s flag colours during the Summer Olympic Games,” noted Julia Sharkey of the Empire State Building’s Public Relations Department.
In her response to the management of the Empire State Building, the Consul- General expressed her gratitude to the organisation for honouring Jamaica with such an important gesture at this time. She said the honour was timely, as Jamaicans in the Diaspora celebrate the country’s 46th Anniversary of Independence.
The colours of the Jamaican flag (black, green and gold), will be displayed on the north side of the building.
The Empire State Building is located at 350 Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets, in midtown Manhattan.