Jamaican Sprinter Herbert Henry McKenley – Photo Courtesy of University of Illinois
On July 10, 1922 top Jamaican sprinter Herbert Henry “Herb” McKenley OM was born , in Pleasant Valley, Clarendon, Jamaica. He was fondly known as Herb McKenley.
McKenley enrolled at the University of Illinois and won the NCAA championships in 220 yd (200 m) and 440 yd (400 m) in 1946 and 1947. He was also the AAU champion in the 440-yard dash in 1945, 1947 and 1948, and was also the head of the list of world best times in 100 m (10.3), 200 m (20.4) and 400 m (46.2) in 1947. He is the only person to ever have achieved this feat. McKenley was once the 400 meter world record holder. He is the only person to have made the final in all three sprinting events, the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres in the same Olympics. Herb” McKenley passed away on November 26, 2007.
