HERB McKenley, the late Jamaican sporting icon who died on Monday afternoon after a long illness, will be accorded an official funeral, Prime Minister Bruce Golding has announced.

However, no date has yet been set for the funeral.

“Herb McKenley was the trailblazer that set the standard and established Jamaica’s rich tradition as Olympic track stars, that has continued with our current crop of world beaters.

“On behalf of the nation, I send condolences to his wife of over 40 years Beverly and family as we treasure the athletic legacy he has left behind for his beloved country. The final tribute that we as a nation can pay to this outstanding Jamaican is to accord him an official funeral, the details of which will be announced,” said Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

In the meantime, the sports minister, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, shortly after hearing the news of McKenley’s death, said: “It is unfortunate that the people we love and the great Jamaicans can’t stay with us forever, but his memory will live on.”

The sports minister, in her tribute to the late McKenley, said a deeply sad nation must now say goodbye to a great son of Jamaica who had lit up the tracks in stadia around the world, whose iconic performances made him the only man to have won medals in all three sprints in the same major games.

“His legacy is clearly seen in Jamaica’s continued dominance in world athletics, his memory will always be with us,” said Grange.

Yesterday, several organisations and individuals paid glowing tributes to the track icon. Among them was the Michael Manley Foundation, which McKenley served as an executive member.