Posted on 06/07/2008 7:46:50 AM PDT by Borges
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 two Emmys and the George Polk Award for his sports and news coverage of the 1972 Munich Olympics.
In 1988, McKay was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
RIP Mr. McKay.
That’s a shame. I liked his coverage of the Games.
video clip is here ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFWt_Dt4ces
He was one of the best. Curt Gowdy was another real professional. IMHO.
Rest in Peace Mr. McKay, I grew up with Wide World of Sports too. A tribute to him, I can still remember his voice.
The annual Cresta Run was my absolute favorite! RIP Jim.
I remember McKay reciting AE Housman’s “To an Athlete Dying Young” at the memorial to the slain Israeli olympians in 1972. I thought it was a touch of class unusual in the pedestrian world of televised sports, and showed a sensitivity that was fitting for the occasion.
A sad passing of a broadcaster from the days when class was valued on television. God blessed us with you Mr McKay.
Jim McKay, Olympic and ABC announcer, dies at age 86...
the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.....
this man was a victor!!!!
Great guy... I love the 1980 Olympic wrap where he explains the miracle on ice in terms of...
‘imagine if an all star team of Canadian College Football players were to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers’
Great guy.
I hated to hear the news. He was a part of my childhood. He will be missed.
..... “and the agony of defeat” ....
I doubt I’ll ever forget the accompanying scene of the skier wiping out as these words were repeated each week.
Great show. Great host. RIP Mr. McKay.
RIP Mr. McKay.
Watching “Wild World of Sports” was very often the one bright light
for me on lazy, boring Saturdays.
Who can ever forget those few words from Jim McKay
they’re all gone
The Olympic committee disgraced itself then and truth be told continues to do so.
RIP, sir.
I remember hurrying home to watch the demolition derbies and weightlifting competitions on those Saturday afternoons when I was a kid.
I remember when he said that, and the way he said it. It broke my heart. What a guy. RIP.
I was always amused by the way the often changed the "thrill of victory" scene but always kept the same "agony of defeat". I think it was a Yugoslavian ski jumper wiping out on the way down the slide (he was unhurt). That film clip became legendary.
I really appreciated how ABC made stars of many otherwise obscure foreign athletes. And some of them were Russian, like the great Vasily Alexyev (sp?). I really get annoyed at the American-centric coverage of today's Olympic games. ABC avoided that trap.
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