ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (AP) - A few thousand revelers waving Grenada's red, green and yellow flag have welcomed back a young athlete who won the tiny Caribbean island's first Olympic medal.

Kirani James arrived at the country's airport Thursday evening on a jet chartered by the government. Crews rolled out a red carpet for the 400-meter champ.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas told the 19-year-old runner that his return was a "very proud moment for all of us."

At the London Olympics, James won the 400-meter competition in 43.94 seconds, becoming the first non-U.S. athlete to run the 400-meter race in less than 44 seconds. He also is the first non-U.S. winner of the race since the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

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