Jim McKay, Olympics and ABC announcer, dies at age 86

[nojobny]

Jim McKay, Olympics and ABC announcer, dies at age 86



ESPN.com news services
Updated: June 7, 2008, 10:52 AM ET

Jim McKay, 86, a longtime television sports journalist, has died of natural causes in Maryland, according to a statement from the McKay family.

McKay is best known for hosting "ABC's Wide World of Sports" and 12 Olympic Games.

McKay won numerous awards for journalism, including the George Polk Memorial Award and two Emmys -- one for his sports coverage, the other for his news reporting -- for his work at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which were tragically affected by the Black September terrorists' attack on the Israeli athletes in the Olympic Village.

In 1988, McKay was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

In 1968, McKay won the first of his 13 Emmy Awards, becoming the first sports commentator to receive that honor.

His 12th Emmy, in 1988, was not for his talents as a broadcaster but as the writer of the openings for ABC Sports' coverage of the 1987 Indianapolis 500, the British Open and the Kentucky Derby. He is the only broadcaster to have won Emmys for sports and news broadcasting and for writing.

In 1990 he was the recipient of the first-ever Lifetime Achievement in Sports award from the Academy. In 1992 he was the recipient of an Emmy Award in the Individual Achievement category for the ABC Sports special, "Athletes and Addiction: It's Not a Game."

In 1989 McKay received the Peabody Award, which is presented annually to recognize the most distinguished and meritorious public service programming rendered each year on radio and television.

McKay was the first American network sports commentator to visit mainland China. In 1991, he visited Cuba to interview Fidel Castro.

McKay was with "ABC's Wide World of Sports" since its inception in April 1961.

Jim McManus (McKay's real name) was born in Philadelphia on September 24, 1921, and moved to Baltimore when he was 15.

He graduated from Loyola College there, then entered the United States Navy as an officer during World War II. At the war's conclusion, he was captain of a minesweeper.

[Atlanta Dan]

Spanning the globe ... the thrill of victory ... the agony of defeat

Between this and Mad Dog passing away this is one of those times I really feel time passing by far too quickly

[OneForTheToe]

I was comming to post this when the board was down. I will always remember those iconic words at the intro of Wide world of Sports.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

Spanning the globe ... the thrill of victory ... the agony of defeat

Between this and Mad Dog passing away this is one of those times I really feel time passing by far too quickly

Agony of defeat... as the skier goes flailing over the jump....

Yeah... I felt the same way when all the REAL comedians died, or left TV, like Carson.

[Aussie_steeler]

Way before I found the NFL in the 90's Jim Mckay was an icon down here via his Olympics commentary. Wide world of Sport was huge down here 9even though it was adapted for Australia we still had a large dose of Jim every Sunday morning)

I am a golfing tragic and his British Open commentary has long been a staple in my late night viewing of this event.

Just saw a recount of his famous interview after the death of the Israeli Olympians at the airport was announced. His commentary will forever be linked with the day that changed the world and sport together.

[Galax Steeler]

Jim McKay was a great announcer and will be greatly missed.

[Stlrs4Life]

RIP Jim. Always enjoyed him on ABC Wide World of Sports.

[revefsreleets]

RIp. Grew up on this guy.