Hannah Miley Moved By Touching Letter From Scottish Widower

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 24: Hannah Miley on her way to a new games record in the Women's 400m IM heats at Tollcross International Swimming Centre on July 24, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland.(Photo by Ian MacNicol) *** Local Caption ***

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Scottish Swimming

STONEHAVEN, Scotland, September 4. SCOTLAND’S best swimmers love interacting with their fan base, as evidenced today when Hannah Miley spent some time with Ken McKay after the Commonwealth Games champion received a heartfelt letter from the 85-year-old.

McKay was married for 60 years to Elenor Gordon-McKay, who had been considered one of Scotland’s finest female swimmers after winning Olympic bronze in 1952 and three golds at two Commonwealth Games. Gordon-McKay was set to present medals at the Commonwealth Games in late July, but passed away three weeks before the competition at 81 years old.

According to an article in the Mearns Leader newspaper, McKay wrote a letter to let Miley know how much watching her win in the 400 individual medley at the Commonwealth Games helped him get “out of the gloom and despair” he felt following his wife’s death.

Miley said she was touched to know “what my little swim meant to him at such a sad time in his life.” The two spent time talking in person today at the Stonehaven pool, where McKay has been swimming for pretty much his entire life.

“He told me that he’d cried tears of joy rather than sadness as he watched me win that gold medal,” Miley said. “Pretty soon I was the one in floods of tears reading Ken’s beautiful, kind words.”

Today’s meeting comes just a week after 200 breast Commonwealth champion Ross Murdoch met a 5-year-old fan.

Watch Miley’s gold medal swim in the video player below:

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Stacey M
Stacey M
9 years ago

Lovely story, congratulations Hannah, amazing swim, beautiful person. Best wishes Mr McKay.

1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x