HARTLEY NEITAHARTLEY NEITA
IN 1948 and 1952 there was no television to allow us to watch our athletes live as they chased gold in the Olympic Games in London and Helsinki. We had to wait for a week before being able to see our young men and women going for glory in newsreels shown in our cinemas. And we saw them in black and white.
The races were broadcast on radio by the BBC but the reception was full of static. And I do not remember if there were transistor battery-operated radios then which would have allowed the farmer to listen while working in his field or the secretary to listen while typing.
So most of Jamaica depended on the Daily Gleaner. Every morning.
The first news was on July 20, 1952 when we read that Herb McKenley had won his first round sprint in 10.7 seconds. The following day he won the second round in 10.5 seconds. Arthur Wint also stepped towards glory with a second place in the preliminary of the 800 metres in a time of 54.2 seconds.
NEW OLYMPIC RECORD
Then on July 25, the report said "Jamaica's Big Three, McKenley, Rhoden and Wint were in the 400 semi". The following day, we learnt that George Rhoden had won the 400-metre race in 45.9 seconds, setting a new Olympic record. Running second was McKenley with Wint placing fifth. It was almost a Jamaica 1-2-3 affair.
There was tension when the runners went down the first time and the starter ordered the eager finalists off their marks. Down again, and American Mal Whitfield jumped. He was warned that another false jump by him and he would be disqualified. He placed sixth. McKenley was disappointed: "Now, I shall never win an Olympic gold medal," he said.
Then came the big day. Sunday, July 27. The four members of the 1,600-metre relay team, McKenley, Rhoden, Wint and Les Laing, stood on the Olympic field with their heads bowed in prayer before the start of the race. Next day the Gleaner said in its headline: 'Jamaica Beats the World'. For McKenley, it was a dream come true. He had won an Olympic gold medal at last.
INCREDIBLE
His third-leg run of 45.1 seconds was incredible and made victory possible. For this he was presented with a special bouquet of flowers. The team also won the hearts of the people of Finland when they asked that their Olympic victory flowers should be placed on the grave of Baron Mannerheim, Finland's great military hero. It was, they said, "To the memory of that great hero and also as an expression of our warm appreciation of the very fine hospitality we have enjoyed in Finland".
Flags the Union Jack flew in Kingston and St. Andrew from stores, offices and Govern-ment Departments. And the Governor announced a public holiday to celebrate the victory. By then, Jamaica was standing at 15th place with 39 points, ahead of 28 countries including Canada, India, New Zealand and Spain.
Celebrating the victory in bars after closing hours caused a number of men and women to be fined for being "found in bars after closing hours". His Honour Herbert Duffus told them he did not blame them for celebrating, but how they celebrated was against the law. It was also possible, he said, they were using the occasion as an excuse.
Meanwhile in Helsinki, long jumper Kathleen Russell twisted her back and could not complete her event. She spent four days in the hospital but slipped out to see the final of the 1,600- metres relay. "I had to see it, whatever the cost," she said.
