Aris, a veteran track and field administrator, was found unconscious during a People's National Party (PNP) mass rally in Port Antonio and despite being rushed to hospital, he was declared dead shortly after.

At the time of his death, Aris was President of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA).

He was elected to the role in 2004 and guided the JAAA though its most successful period, including the Beijing 2008 Olympics, where Jamaica got a record 11 medals, three of which were won by sprint star Usain Bolt.

Fennell, who stepped down as Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President on Friday (November 11) here at the organisation's General Assembly, but remains the Jamaican Olympic Association (JOA) President, said he was upset to learn of the news.

"I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of my friend Howard Aris," Fennell told insidethegames.

"He was someone who made a huge contribution to the development of track and field both in Jamaica and around the world.

"He is someone I knew very well and it was tragic to hear this terrible news.

"He will be very much missed and my thoughts are with his family at this time."


As well as his role as JAAA President, Aris was a member of the IAAF Youth Committee and has also served as chairman of the Sports Development Foundation, Executive Director of the National Council on Sports, a member of Chase Board and a Director of Independence Park Ltd, which has responsibility for the management of Jamaica's National Stadium.

Sprint star Bolt (pictured left with Aris) also paid tribute to Aris as he wrote on Twitter: "The track and field fraternity has lost a man who cared for the sport."

Aris is survived by his wife and two children.

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