THE EDITOR, Sir:
I RECENTLY drove past the National Stadium and stopped to look at the Wall of Fame which has paintings of our outstanding Jamaican athletes. While I stood there among a handful of visitors to the island, full of pride in the achievements of my countrymen, I was extremely disappointed to note that there was no painting of Bertland Cameron, one of Jamaica's most distinguished athletes. I therefore asked what did Bertland Cameron do to anger the gods of the sporting fraternity?
Like Herb McKenley, Arthur Wint, Merlene Ottey and Donald Quarrie, who was rated among the best in their events, Bertland Cameron is one of the few Jamaicans who was ranked number one in the world for two years in his event.
In 1984, Bertland was made captain of the Jamaican Olympic team. He was the first Jamaican to win the gold in an individual event at the first World Championships held in Helsinki, Finland. He was honoured by the Carreras Sports Foundation as the Sports Man Of The Year in 1981 to 1983, and given the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica in 1984. His picture hangs in the University of Texas at El Paso Hall of Fame and the City of El Paso, Texas Hall of Fame.
After competing for his country at the highest level for 14 years his outstanding achievements include: 1978 Commonwealth Games 400m Silver 1979 4x400m Silver Medallist PanAm Games; 1981 400m Gold Medallist International Athletics Meet 1982 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist; 1984 Olympic finalist; 1987 Pan Am Games Silver Medallist; 1988 Olympics 4x400m Silver medallist.
As one of his biggest fans, I am disappointed and angered at his omission from the Wall of Fame.
I am etc.,
NUMBER ONE FAN
