McKenleyTRACK and field legend Herb McKenley is recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday.
McKenley, one of Jamaica's most decorated Olympic athletes, has regained the use of his limbs and is being constantly monitored by doctors.
In a release through the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) yesterday, McKenley's wife Beverley, said the Calabar old boy 'cannot be allowed any visitors at this time as peace and quiet are essential for his optimal recovery.'
The 1952 Olympic 4x400m gold medalist who turns 80 on July 10 is one of Jamaica's greatest-ever all-round sprinters.
He displayed this versatility at the Olympics reaching finals in all the sprints from 100m to 400m.
At the 1948 Olympics in London he was the hot favourite for the 400m but was pipped by his countryman Arthur Wint who mined gold in 46.2 to McKenley's 46.4.
At the Helsinki Games in 1952, McKenley missed gold twice. The 100m final was one of the closest races in Olympic history. McKenley was beaten into second place by a hair's breadth. American Lindy Remingino was adjudged the winner with both clocking the same time, 10.4 seconds. In the 400m McKenley was beaten by his countrymanman George Rhoden. Both were timed in 45.9.
McKenley eventually mined gold in the 4x400m relay after a scintillating run on the third leg ate up a huge gap. The quartet of Arthur Wint, Les Laing, McKenley and George Rhoden clocked a then world record time of 3:03.9.
