Jamaica shows up at CAC Games in Kingston

Jamaica has, for a long time, done well at the Central American and Caribbean Games, but the pride of the countries track and field dominance was probably never more palpable than when those games were held in Kingston 59 years ago at a brand new National Stadium. The efforts of George Kerr in 400 and 800 metres was most notable.

Published August 24, 1962

Jamaican breaks record to win 2nd gold medal

KERR RUNS 400 IN 45.9

GALICIA, BERTHA DIAZ OTHER DOUBLE GOLD MEDALLISTS

Gleaner Sports Reporter

Jamaica did not get the expected three medals in the 400 metres last night, but George Kerr more than atoned with a smashing victory in 45.9 seconds, which gave him his second gold medal and second record in the Ninth Games track and field events at the National Stadium.

In the 800 metres, Kerr had clocked a record 1:51.0 in taking his first Games gold medal and last night's performance certainly puts him along with Mexico's distance ace Eligio Galicia as the outstanding track men of these Ninth Games in which records have been tumbling with amazing regularity.

Kerr, Gallela, and Cuba's Bertha Dias who won the women's 80 metres hurdles last night are so far the only double gold medal winners in athletes. Galicia won the 5,000 and 10,000 metres and Berths took the hurdles and long Jump.

Kerr, who took the bronze medal in the Rome Olympics 800 metres underlined his superiority and form in no uncertain manner last night. He drew the outside lane and blazed at the pistol.

Shakes off Venezuela

He streaked away unchallenged until the journey was about three-quarter way through at which stage Venezuela's Horacia Fusil made a determined bid, closely followed by Jamaica's Mal Spence and Mel Spence.

Coming into the stretch Kerr shook off the challenge and hit the tapes about six yards ahead of Fusil who held off a late bid by Mal Spence. Fusil clocked; 47.3 and Spence 47.4. Mel Spence had a fourth place clocking of 47.7.

That Kerr had broken the 47.5 records he set in the beats and equalled in the semifinals was certain, but 45.9 was unexpected and a great roar went up from the 18,000 spectators when the scoreboard showed the time.

Colombia's Alvaro Mejia was also back among the records last night. Taking over from two laps to go and setting his own pace despite stout attempts to overtake him by British Guiana's Ralph Gomes and another Colombian Jose Neira, Mejia clocked 3:51.4 which dropped four and six tenths seconds off the record he set in Wednesday's heat. Gomes, who took the silver medal broke the record too with 3:52.5, and so did third placed Neira, whose time was 3:52.6. Jamaica's Earle Belcher, who was sixth, clocked four minutes flat which equalled the Jamaica record set in the heats by Rueben Roberts.

Bandaged thigh

Bertha Diaz who had flashed the 80 metres hurdles in a smashing 10.9 on Wednesday night was two tenths of a second outside this time last night. Running with a bandaged thigh, she nevertheless won easily, this time in 11.1. The silver medal went to Panama's Fay Dunn, while Jamaica took the bronze medal, Carmen Smith clocking 11.8 which is a new Jamaica record. Jamaica's other finalist, Adlin Mair, was fourth.

Venezuela's crack sprint quartet of Ariqumiles Herrera, Rafael Romero, Lloyi Marad and Horacio Esteves, did not let down those who were certain they would crack the Games record. In winning the first heat, they clocked 40. 4 to better the 12-year-old mark of 41.5 held by Cuba and equal the Pan American record set up two years ago by America's Ray Norton, Robert Poynter, Bill Weethese and Hayes Jones. In this heat Trinidad (40.5) who were second, and third-placed Jamaica (40.8), also beat the Games record, as did Cuba who won the second heat in 40.5.

Venezuela's Jesus Rodriquez took the Javelin gold medal with a throw of 218“ 8 1/2”, Second was Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Salgado 210“ 9” and third Cuba's Arnoldo Pallares 202“ 10”.

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