Herb McKenley (right) accepting his Medal of Honour yesterday from Laker Levers, president of the Rotary Club of Kingston, at its weekly meeting at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer JAMAICAN OLYMPIC gold medallist Herb McKenley was honoured by the Rotary Club of Kingston yesterday at its weekly meeting at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
A member of the club since 1971 and an honorary member since 1983, McKenley was given a medal for his service to the club and to Jamaica, over the years.
In the world of track and field his accomplishments have been legendary and include many international and local medals. Among them are the Olympic 4x400m relay gold, 100 metres and 400 metres silver medals, all captured in Helsinki (1952) along with three gold medals at the CAC Games in 1946 and 1950.
The former Calabar High School and Boston College student was the first man in history to run 400 metres under 46 seconds and under 45 seconds on a relay leg. He is also the only man in the 20th century to have won Olympic medals in both 100 and 400 metre races.
In thanking the Rotary Club for its consideration, McKenley, the former president of the Jamaica Athletic Association (JAAA), said he was happy to have received such an honour.
"I would like to thank you all. In recent times I have received a lot from my fellow Rotarians and others," McKenley added.
The public will be able to know more about McKenley come November 14 when the Rotary Club launches at Kings House, a special video on his career.
