Sport

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Many persons remember the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City for American sprinter Tommy Smith and Juan Carlos' controversial clenched fist tribute to the Civil Rights movement in their country.

But the Jamaican team, led by quarter-miler Clifton Forbes, also had a dramatic moment that threatened its unity. Team official, Sir Herbert McDonald, went against Games tradition and carried the Jamaican flag during the opening ceremony.

Usually, this is an honour reserved for athletes. McDonald's gesture did not go down well with most of the team, some of whom boycotted the ceremony. Ever the diplomat, Forbes, who died March 1 at the University Hospital of the West Indies, was caught in the middle of a sensitive situation.

"He went to the ceremony and got some flak for that from some of the guys but it was nothing personal," recalled Neville Myton, a member of the team. "That was Clifton, he was always prepared to listen to both sides."

Myton was among the hundreds of family and friends who attended Forbes' funeral at the St Andrew Parish Church on Tuesday. He told The Gleaner that he first met Forbes in the early 1960s when they were competing at Boys' Championships. An 800 metres runner, Myton competed for Excelsior High School while Forbes competed at 400 metres for Kingston Technical High School.

Teammates on several national teams

In addition to the Olympics, they were teammates on several national teams: the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Central American and Caribbean Games in Ponce, Puerto Rico, that year, the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, and the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Forbes and Myton won gold medals with Mal Spence and Rupert Hoilette, as members of the 4x400 metres relay team at the 1966 CAC Games.

Forbes also attended and competed for the University of Nebraska, which would later be home for one of his compatriots - a lanky sprinter named Merlene Ottey. After hanging up his spikes, he worked at Cable and Wireless as an administrator, but maintained ties to athletics as a manager and coach.

A detailed person

"Clifton was a detailed person, he paid attention to everything," said Mike Fennell, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association. "Being a former athlete, he had a strong bond with them and we found that very helpful."

Forbes served in management capacity for senior Jamaican teams to every major meet. Two of his last assignments were manager of teams to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, in 2006, and the CAC Games in Cartagena, Colombia, that year.

Forbes, who was ailing for some time, was 65 years old. He is survived by wife Joan and daughter G'Tanya.