Silver medallist Lennox Miller (right) congratulates Jamaican teammate Donald Quarrie (centre) on winning the 100m final at the 1971 Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia. At left is American bronze medal winner Delano Merriweather.
PORTIA SIMPSON Miller, Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, yesterday paid tribute to Jamaican Olympian Lennox 'Billy' Miller.
Miller died in California on Monday and Simpson Miller, in an release, said: "It was with a deep sense of sorrow that I learnt of the passing of one the nation's finest sporting sons, Dr. Lennox 'Billy' Miller, Olympian."
"Lennox blazed a trail of excellence, from his early days at Kingston College when he won the sprint double, at the famous Boys Athletic Championships, for three consecutive years, 1963-1965."
Also included in Simpson Miller's release was mention of Miller's glory days at the University of Southern California, in the United States, where he dominated the scene so much that he was installed as one of the 100 metres favourite at the Mexico Olympics in 1968 where he won a silver medal.
INJURED HAMSTRING
Simpson Miller also remembered the following Olympic Games when Miller won a bronze medal in the 100m in Munich, running with an injured hamstring he picked up 10 days before the qualifying round began.
"It was worthy to note that he did this while raising a young family and competing his dental studies. Lennox was indeed a champion and a true fighter. Unfortunately he lost his fight with cancer," Simpson Miller continued.
"On behalf of the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sport and the sporting fraternity, I wish to extend my sincere condolences to his family, (including his daughter Inger, an Olympian for the US). May you find comfort in the warn, gentle embrace of the Almighty."
Mike Fennell, president of the Jamaica Olympic Associa-tion (JOA), was also upset by Miller's passing, saying: "I am saddened by the news of his death - very, very sad, because he was not only a great athlete, but a great person.
"Dr. Miller represented the county with distinction... he was a gentleman Olympian, very fine person and we send our condolences to his family at this time."
IAAF Area Representative and former Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) president Teddy McCook said Miller's death, although expected, was still upsetting.
SADDENED
"We are all saddened at his passing, although we knew he was ailing for some time. It comes as a major blow to us that an individual that has contributed to the country has passed at such a tender age," McCook said.
"Billy brought real delight to the region when he became the very first athlete in the history of the Olympics to win back-to-back medals in the 100m. As a Jamaican of course, that was more noteworthy."
JUGGLED DENTAL STUDIES
McCook also remembered when Miller had to juggle his dental studies with track and field.
"From when he was a young boy in school he worked hard at track and field but did not have the opportunity to work as hard as he would have wanted to when he went to university, because he was in a programme (dental) that required a lot of time in the classroom," he said.
McCook also remembered Miller's coach saying he had to use a flashlight after classes in the evening to allow him to practice his starts.
