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The mighty Jerome

Published:Sunday | March 11, 2012 | 12:00 AM
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Custos Steadman Fuller (right) shares a light moment with Canadian High Commissioner Stephen Hallihan while his wife, Sonia, looks on.
Minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Arnaldo Brown, makes a point to a seemingly intrigued Stephen Hallihan.
Custos Steadman Fuller has the full attention of Custos Marigold Harding (centre) and Scarlette Gillings.
Fabian Brown (left) has the full attention of Sarah Nugent and Alistair Wallbaum.
Broadcaster Fae Ellington has Canadian High Commissioner Stephen Hallihan (right) in stitches while it's obvious that Vivian Crawford also has his funny bone tickled.
From left: Microsoft's Marcelle Smart, Fujitsu's Mervyn Eyre and the Canadian International Development Agency's, Marie Lepalt. -Janet Silvera Photo
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A small group of well-behaved guests were invited to the Canadian High Commission along West Kings House Road recently for a preview of the special documentary Mighty Jerome.

What made the film special was written on posters adorning the walls - the celebration of African Canadians - especially during Black History Month.

It was easy for the audience to be engrossed in the film. The subject and the fact that it is an Olympic year make the story of African Canadian sprinter Harry Jerome one of interest to those present. Like our own Usain Bolt, he was a champion like none seen before. He set a total of seven world records taking the 100-metre world record to 10.0 long before Bolt and Asafa Powell broke it repeatedly.

His 1960 time of 9.90 was actually rounded off to 10.0 with him sharing the record with Germany's Armin Hary.

Not only did he make headlines for his ability on the field but also off because of the colour of his skin. His story paralleled that of many who were judged not by their ability but by the colour of their skin. But Jerome triumphed above it all, not allowing the criticisms he received to break or deter him, especially when he began dating his ex-wife, Wendy, who was white.

Unfortunately, Jerome died in 1882 at the age of 42. But what he did for his sport and country lives on and he is immortalised in the film. So it seems Canadians have never forgotten the Mighty Jerome.

nashauna.drummond@gleanerjm.com

Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer