A Tribute to Dr. Arthur Stanley Wint, OD, MBE, OLY

Arthur Wint is part of an amazing array of Jamaican and Caribbean sporting, but more particularly, athletics talent that shook the world at the Summer Olympics in London, UK, in 1948.

Wint’s successes will never be forgotten, especially by his native Jamaicans. His gentle nature belied the sterling commitment to any assignment as evidenced in his years as an outstanding student athlete at Jamaica’s Calabar, as a pilot in the air force, then as an athlete and student of medicine.

Those who had the pleasure of meeting Arthur Wint, could never miss his eagerness to remain humble.

I had the pleasure of being in the company of Arthur Wint, Herb McKinley and the USA’s Mal Whitfield, at the then Hilton Hotel in New Kingstown some years ago. Whitfield was something of Wint’s nemesis since he defeated him in the 800m at the Summer Olympics in 1948 and repeated the feat four years later at the Games in Helsinki, Finland. Being in the midst of the awesome trio was something special. They were brought together by Neville ‘Teddy’ Mc Cook, as part of a special celebration.

Today marks 100 years since the day on which he was born.

It is of immense pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet Arthur Wint and to share today, something of the immense pride and passion that all Jamaicans and indeed Caribbean athletics enthusiasts have as his enduring legacy to us all.