Jamaica celebrated National Heroes Day on October 15, 2012, by giving recognition to the late Olympian great Herb McKenley. The celebration took place in National Heroes Park where all Jamaican Heroes are laid to rest. Herb Mackenly was born July 10, 1922, in Clarendon, Jamaica.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller led the ceremony. In attendance were Herb Mckenley’s widow Beverly, Jamaican reigning Olympic champion Usain Bolt along with former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, Minister of Sports Natalie Neita Headley and many others.
Track and Field
Herb McKenley was a Track and Field Athlete. Herb ran for Jamaica in 1952 Summer Olympics and won gold in the medal in the 4×400 m relay. He won an AAU Championship in 1945 and 1947-1948, while attending Boston College in Massachusetts. This was a great turnaround, after been the runner up in the prior year. In addition, from 1947-1948, Herb set individual records. This includes 45.9 seconds in the 400m during a competition event in Milwaukee on 2 July 1948. In the London Olympics in 1952, Herb Mackenly and his teammates won gold. They did it with world time 400 in meters relay.
Birthplace.
Mr. Herb McKenley was born in Clarendon, Jamaica on July 10, 1922. He was the first Jamaican sprinter to receive a scholarship in the United State from the University of Illinois. Herb graduated with a bachelor’s degree. After his career was over, he became a track coach and Jamaica.
Recognition
Herb McKenley was given a citation from the city of New York and the plaque marking his April 1994. It serves an introduction Penn Relays Hall of Fame an award from the Ford Motor Company. Jamaica has many famous tracks and fields athletes. This includes Arthur Wint, Donald Quarrie, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Asafa Powell, Merlene Ottey, Usain Bolt, Veronica Cambell-Brown, Bertland Cameron.