KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - George Kerr, who represented Jamaica and the West Indies at three Olympics, has died. He was 74.
His son, Roger, said Sunday that Kerr passed away at a hospital in Jamaica's capital. He had recently suffered a heart attack.
Kerr represented Jamaica at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and the 1964 Tokyo Games. He competed for West Indies at the 1960 Rome Games, winning bronze in the 800 meters and 4x400 relay.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says Kerr was "an excellent standard-bearer for Jamaica."
He also won gold in the 400 and 800 at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1962.
Jamaica Olympic Association president Mike Fennell says Kerr was "one of our icons of athletics."
Kerr is survived by his widow, Fay.
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I feel proud of him and thankful to know a legend and the first successful runner was my cousin, my beloved grandmother passed in her sweet home Jamaica not long after going back home to attend his funeral, May all of our family that is living their afterlife live in peace, love and harmony. I know they are!
Alesia Dixon
February 20, 2021 | Family
Valenda Newell
November 06, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
My condolences to the great George Kerr's family and the entire country of Jamaica.
I remember him when the High School Team Jamaica visited Puerto Rico to compete against our HS Team.
One of the greatest.
Jose R. San Miguel
Jose R. San Miguel
May 22, 2013 | Catano, PUERTO RICO
Dahlia Dixon: Leave it up to my informed cousin to provide information to the entire family! What a wonderful accomplishment and so proud to know we had the first Jamaican Olympian in the family! In such a moment as celebrate the best of Jamaica, this shows us we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. From one accomplished cousin to another, Vern you are one of the best babes.
August 06, 2012
This was sad news. George and I raced many times at Olympic and Commonwealth Games and in New Zealand. He was the toughest competitor and the nicest guy who will have a special place in my memories forever.
My condolences to his family.
Peter Snell
July 03, 2012
I was awed by George's peformances at the 1960
at the Drake relays, where he blazed a 1:46.2
anchor leg for the U of Illinois record breaking team. I had the honor of competing against George twice in 1961, the year after his great Silver Medal perforamnce at the Rome Olympics. What a handsome runner and young man!
John Bork
1957-1961 Western Michigan Univ. Track Teams
July 03, 2012
My sincere condolences to his wife and children. He coached me briefly at Vere Technical in the 1960's. He was an outstanding gentleman with wealth of knowledge in track.
Dr.Bertram Barnswell, Toronto, Canada
June 21, 2012
My sincere condolences. I knew George briefly while he was a student at the University of Illinois and an outstanding member of the track team.
John Johnson
June 18, 2012 | Tucson, AZ