Arthur Wint was born in Jamaica in 1920 and was a successful athlete from a young age. In 1937 he was named Jamaica Boy Athlete of the Year and at the age of 18 he won gold in the 800m at the Central America Games in Panama. During World War Two, Wint joined the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and in 1942 he was sent to Britain for active combat as a pilot. It was during this time that he joined the Polytechnic Harriers athletics club.
In 1947 he left the RAF but remained in London studying medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Nevertheless, Wint still made time for athletics and remained a member of the Harriers. 1948 saw the first Olympic Games take place since 1936. Wint was selected for the Jamaican track team and competed in three different events. He won gold for the 400m, silver for the 800m and almost had success in the 4x400m relay but got cramp during the race. His gold medal was Jamaica’s first Olympic gold.
Wint also competed in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki where he achieved success with a silver in the 800m once again. He was even more successful as part of the 4x400m relay team who broke the world record with their time of 3.03.9.
Upon graduating as a doctor in 1953, Wint retired from athletics and returned home to Jamaica where he was the only doctor in his parish. However, his ties with the UK remained. In 1954 he was awarded an MBE and from 1974-1978 he served as High Commissioner to Britain.
The ‘Gentle Giant’, as he was known, was inducted into the Black Athletes Hall of Fame in the USA in 1977 and the Jamaica Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. Wint died in 1992.
