Just one day before what would become the date of Jamaica’s independence, still some 14 years away, the island was made proud at the Olympic Games thanks to the exploits of two Jamaican 400-metre runners, one Sir Arthur Wint, the other Herb McKenley. The two produced one of the most exciting 400-metre races in Olympic history.

Published August 6, 1948

WINT FIRST IN 400-METRE FINAL

-Equals Olympic 46.3 Record

-Jamaica did it … and “God Save The King” was played for the first time

Special Cable to the “Gleaner” from our London Correspondent (Gleaner Copyright, 1948)

LONDON, August 5 - "God Save The King" was heard for the first time in the Olympic Victory Ceremony at Wembley today, but it was Jamaica that did it, as giant-striding Arthur Wint triumphed in the 400-metre final in 46.2 seconds over his highly fancied team-mate, Herbert McKenley.

We had repeatedly heard the winner feted with the “Star-Spangled Banner,”  the Swedish, Dutch, Austrian, Turkish, every country’s anthem, it seemed, except Britain’s national hymn.

Today, little Jamaica came to the rescue, and it was a moving moment when, having no National Anthem of her own, she was content for the RAF band, at last. To strike up “God Save the King”, in honour of her victors on the Olympic rostrum.

60,000 Roar

I had never hoped to see a finer 400-metre race than this final in which Wint, to the roars of a crowd of 60,000, beat his fellow Jamaican by a yard, and equalled the Olympic record of 46.2 seconds.

There was a hush in the Stadium as the two Jamaicans, three Americans (Whitfield, Bolen and Guida), the Australian, and Croatian came out into the arena, jogged about to loosen their muscles and relieve their tense nerves and then crossed the grass to set their starting traps.

Rain had stopped and now the sun gleamed through a damp haze hanging over the Stadium.

The two Jamaicans were luckily drawn in the next door lanes, numbers 2 & 3 with Whitfield, the chief danger in number 4.

As the runners stripped off their tracksuits and crouched in their starting traps, absolute stillness came over the Stadium, the stillness was cut by the starters “Set” and then the pistol-crack for a perfect start.

McKenley Sets Pace

McKenley, as expected, made the running. He had planned to cover the first 200 meters in 22.1 seconds and run the others off their feet, and but for Wint, he would have succeeded.

McKenley went up on the runners in the outside lanes with incredible speed and even Wint striding out magnificently, was a full yard behind as the two Jamaicans turned into the back straight.

Coming around the inside of Wint, McKenley gained at least another yard and when the runners went into the long home-stretch, only the two Jamaicans were in it.

In their white vests and dark red shorts, they were right out in front and then began a tremendous battle to the tape. Mckenley’s stride shortened a little, and Wint seemed to plunge forward and gave the impression of bounding up the straight like a huge dog.

Gaining a fraction on his fellow countryman at every stride, Wint caught and passed McKenley fifteen yards from the tape to win a perfectly judged race by a yard, McKenley’s time was 46.4 seconds, and he easily held off a late challenge from Whitfield, who finished two yards behind in third place.

Wint’s triumph, and McKenley’s second, were very popular with the crowd, now a little satiated with American victories, and Wint regarded with special affection for his RAF record and post-war athletic achievements here.

So, if Britain could not win, the crowd was very happy to see two Jamaicans on the winners’ rostrum to receive their Olympic medals from the American Olympic Committee Vice-Chairman, Mr Avery Brundage.

Wint and McKenley were therefore given an extra special round of applause and I don’t think they or Jamaica will ever forget the day.

Jamaica's Proudest Moment

Wint: 'I did not know I had it in me'

LONDON, Aug. 5 (Reuters) -Giant striding Arthur S. Wint of Jamaica, who today equalled the Olympic record of 46.2 seconds to win the men's 400 Metres Final, did not expect to win.

He said after the race: "Frankly I did not expect to catch Herb MeKenley (his fellow Jamaican whom he beat into second place). I gave it everything I had because we wanted it between us and I did not want anyone breaking in on us. I did not know I had it in me."

Wint and McKenley went back to the dressing room together surrounded by a group of admiring, delighted supporters from Jamaica.

"I can tell you this is Jamaica's proudest moment," J. R. Bunting, Jamaican team manager said as he screened his runners from swarming autograph hunters.

Herbert Macdonald, overseas personnel manager for the Jamaican team said: "The great moment has come. I always felt we would do it."

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