Government Commissions Statue of McKenley

The Government is to further honour the memory of Jamaica’s celebrated sports icon, Herb McKenley, by erecting a statue of the late athlete and sports administrator at the National Stadium.
Minister of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports, Olivia Grange, told journalists at Wednesday’s (December 19) post-Cabinet media briefing, that approval has been given for the commissioning of a life-sized statue of the track and field legend, which will be erected at the entrance to the stadium. When completed and installed, Mr. McKenley’s statue will join those of his late team mate, Arthur Wint, as well as Donald Quarrie, and Merlene Ottey, which now grace the complex.
Renowned for his athletic achievements and exploits in the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympic Games as well as for his contribution to the sport as an administrator, Mr. McKenley died on November 26 at the age of 85. He was accorded an official funeral at the National Arena, after which he was interred in National Heroes Park.
During his lifetime, Mr. McKenley was bestowed with several awards, including the Order of Merit (OM), Jamaica’s third highest national award. In 2004, the Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) honoured Mr. McKenley by presenting him with the Keys to the City of Kingston as well as renaming Roosevelt Avenue, which links Fairview Avenue with Arthur Wint Drive in the vicinity of the National Stadium complex, Herb McKenley Drive.