Grange, Bolt 'saddened' by McNeil's passing

Minister of Sports Olivia Grange and World and Olympic 100 and 200 metres champion, Usain Bolt, have both expressed sadness at the passing of Olympian Pablo McNeil.

In expressing regret at the death of the two-time Olympian, Grange said McNeil "has left a mark on Jamaican and world sports. He was a good competitor for Jamaica and went on to nurture, mentor, inspire and coach some of our fine young athletes at William Knibb High School - including Usain Bolt, who has been such a success and inspiration.

"On behalf of the government and people of Jamaica, I offer sincere condolences to McNeil's family, friends and the entire track and field fraternity, who will be saddened by his passing."

Bolt, in a release through his publicist, Carole Beckford, said: "I am saddened by the passing of one of my first coaches in high school. Coach McNeil was a part of my early track and field life. I appreciate all he sought to pass on to me. I would like to offer my condolences and sympathies to his family and close friends."

McNeil, 71, died in hospital on Monday after a long illness.

He represented Jamaica in the 100 metres at the Tokyo Games in 1964 and Mexico City in 1968. In 1964, he reached the semi-finals of the 100m, where he was sixth in a wind-aided 10.39 seconds. He was also the first-leg runner on the Jamaican 4x100 metres team, which placed fourth in the final in 39.4 seconds.

In 1968, he was eliminated at the first round of the 100m, placing sixth in his heat in 10.62.

McNeil also represented Jamaica at the British West Indies Championships. His best result came in 1965 when he won gold in the 200 metres. He also wore national colours at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston and was a member of the quartet which won silver in the 4x110 yards relay.

In later years, McNeil became the sprint coach at Falmouth-based William Knibb High School, where he was credited with getting Bolt to make the successful switch from cricket to track.

McNeil coached Bolt up to age 16, before the sprint prodigy made the move to Kingston and was enrolled at the then Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association-administered High Performance Training Centre.

McNeil, who suffered a stroke in December 2007, did not watch his former athlete win Olympic gold and break the world records in the 100m and 200m in 2008. He told The Gleaner in August 2008 that his eyes, following the stroke, were too bad to stare at a television screen.