Call to honour 1912 Olympian

McArthur was given a hero's welcome in County Antrim

One of Northern Ireland's Olympic heros could be honoured almost a century after his gold medal victory.

The 100-year anniversary of Kennedy Kane McArthur's marathon triumph coincides with the 2012 London games.

North Antrim assembly member Mervyn Storey has called for official recognition of the Dervock-born runner's achievements.

Mr Storey raised the issue with Sports Minister Edwin Poots during a recent assembly meeting.

He said: "Will the minister assure me, with reference to the 2012 Olympics, that he will not forget the famous son from Dervock?

"The anniversary of Kennedy Kane McArthur's winning gold at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm will be marked in 2012."

Born on 10 February 1881, 'KK', as he was affectionately known, won a gold medal in 1912 games, albeit in the colours of his adopted country - South Africa.

The Dervock man set a new record in 1912

A pupil of Dervock Upper National School, he became a familiar face in the village when he got a job as the local postman.

But with few local job opportunities, McArthur set off for South Africa where he secured a job with the police in Johannesburg.

Before long he began to take his running more seriously and established a name for himself by beating recognised athletes, including 1908 Olympic silver medalist Charles Hefron.

His performances secured him a place in South Africa's Olympic squad of 1912 as a competitor in the gruelling 26-mile marathon.

Despite soaring temperatures, McArthur rose to the front of the 68-strong field.

He crossed the line as the marathon champion after two hours 36 minutes and 54.8 seconds - a new Olympic record.

KK delayed his return home to South Africa in order to make a flying visit to his north Antrim homeland where he was given a hero's reception.

A plaque in Ballymoney remembers his achievements

On his arrival in Ballymoney, he was carried on the shoulders of the crowd to a carriage, which was pulled to the Town Hall by the men of the town.

He then travelled to Dervock where he was greeted with a candle-lit procession.

Unfortunately, his sporting career was short-lived and less than a year after his momentous victory, KK McArthur was forced to retire.

He returned to Dervock on numerous occasions before passing away in South Africa in 1960, at the age of 79.

His trophies and other memorabilia can be seen today at the Potschefstroom Museum.

There is a memorial plague to him in the town hall at Ballymoney and other tributes in Ballymoney museum.

McArthur also has a street named after him in Dervock.