PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller has expressed “deep sadness” at the passing yesterday of Olympian Keith Gardener in New Jersey, USA, describing him as “one of Jamaica’s finest and most formidable former track and field athlete.”
Simpson Miller said Gardener, who represented Jamaica in the 1950s and ’60s was “one of those athletes who demonstrated tremendous commitment, unquestionable loyalty to country, a high level of discipline and unrivalled professionalism”.
Gardener put in an outstanding performance at the 1958 Commonwealth Games when he won gold medals in the 100 and 120 yards hurdles, as well as a silver medal in the 220 yards and bronze in the 4×400 yards relay.
Prior to that he won a gold medal in the 120 yards at the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada, and later, in 1960 was a member of the bronze medal-winning 4×100 relay team at the 1960 Olympic Games held in Rome.
The prime minister said that with such performances, Gardener was “one of those athletes who helped to pioneer Jamaica’s international recognition in track and field and paved the way for the current set of athletes who are building on that legacy”.
After ‘hanging up’ his spikes, Gardener took on the responsibility of giving guidance and direction to young people by becoming a director of the Multicare Foundation. In that capacity he interacted with hundreds of youth in downtown Kingston, as he sought, in his own way, to impart the importance of proper attitudes and values.
The prime minister concluded: “I express my sympathy to his dear wife, Fay and his children Maxine, Christine and Keith during this period of grief.”
