Jamaican athletics supremo Aris dead at 75

Howard Aris, the president of the Jamaican athletics federation, has died at the age of 75.

Aris was found unconscious during a People's National Party (PNP) mass rally in Port Antonio, Jamaica, on Thursday and was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead, athletics' world governing body, the IAAF, announced.

Aris spent more than 30 years "at the forefront of sports administration, sports development and planning, management and physical therapy in Jamaica", the IAAF said.

Under his stewardship, Jamaica established themselves alongside the United States as one of the world's leading sprinting nations.

"The IAAF on behalf of the global athletics family offers its condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Howard Aris who will be sadly missed," the International Association of Athletics Federations said. AFP