Headlines:
| Herb McKenly to be accorded a state funeral |
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| Tuesday, 27 November 2007 | |
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Jamaican track great Herb McKenley, who died Monday, is
to be accorded an official funeral. The announcement was made on Monday night by Minister of Sports, Olivia "Babsy" Grange. Miss Grange spoke with RJR News prior to meeting with Mr. McKenley's widow. "Yes I spoke to the Prime Minister a few minutes ago and he told me that the country will afford him an official funeral so we will be making the arrangements," said Ms. Grange. Mr. McKenley, who was 85, died at the University Hospital Monday evening. He is survived by widow Beverley, and four children. Mr. McKenley was the first man to cover the 400 meters in under 46 seconds. He won silver medals in the 400 meters at the 1948 games in London and in the 100 meters at the 1952 games in Helsinki, Finland. And, Leader of the Opposition and former Minister of Sports Portia Simpson Miller says Mr. McKenley's passing has robbed Jamaica of an icon. Mrs. Simpson Miller says the late Olympian played a pivotal role in the development of sports in Jamaica. "He was appointed an advisor on sports for a long time and we became very close. I had nothing but admiration before but when we started working together we became much closer therefore it is very sad at this time that we have lost one of our greatest Jamaicans. One of our greatest icons his loyalty and commitment to the development of sports is unparallel," said Mrs. Simpson Miller. |