This Day In Jamaican History

On this day in Jamaican history: Donald Quarrie ends a Jamaican Olympics “drought”

Donald Quarrie Jamaican Sprinter and Olympic Sports Hero

On July 26th, 1976, Donald O’Riley Quarrie CD, won the 200m race at the Montreal in 20.22 seconds.  Quarrie ended a 24 year long absence of Jamaicans on the Olympic podium to receive a gold medal. In the 200m race, Quarrie led the pack coming out of the turn, and held off all challenges to take the title in 20.22. Quarrie was a five-time winner at the Jamaican Sportsperson of the Year and a statue of him is positioned at the entrance to Jamaica’s National Stadium. There is also a school (Donald Quarrie High School) that bears his name in Eastern Kingston

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