Jamaica’s Olympian Herb McKenley hospitalised with stroke

by Gary Smith
for Caribbean Net News

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

FLORIDA, USA: Legendary Jamaican Olympian Herb McKenley has been hospitalised in Atlanta after he suffered a mild stroke according to reports from Kingston, Jamaica.

McKenley, a five time Olympic medallist was visiting family members in Atlanta, Georgia early last week when he was stricken.

The 82-year-old McKenley, won gold in the men's mile relay at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki to add to his silver medals in the 100-metres and 400m. He teamed up with Arthur Wint, the silver medallist in the 800m at the same meet, Leslie Laing, a 200m specialist and George Rhoden in running a world record 3:03.9 to beat to the American powerhouse team and Germany.

McKenley finished the 100m in 10.40-second and the 400m in a career best 45.90, the same time as fellow Jamaica George Rhoden, who was declared the winner. 

Four-years earlier McKenley took silver behind Wint at 46.40. Wint's winning time was 46.20. The Jamaican who was best-known for his sizzling third leg on the Helsinki 1,600m, was the first man to reach all three sprint finals from 100m-400m and was also the first to run a sub-46 seconds 400m.

According to The Gleaner, McKenley is doing well and should be released shortly. The article also added that it was the legend's third stroke after his 1998 and 2002 attacks. 

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