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Book on Arthur Wint Launched

March 19, 2012

The Full Story

A book, ‘The Longer Run: A Daughter’s Story of Arthur Wint’, was launched on March 15 during a ceremony, held at Bookophila, in Liguanea, Kingston.

The book, written by Valerie Wint, chronicles the world famous achievements of her father, Arthur Wint.

It is also timely as the Olympics this year is being held in London where the former Olympian, Diplomat and Doctor won the first ever Olympic gold medal for Jamaica.

The launching of the book also coincides with the celebration of Jamaica’s 50 years of Independence and forms part of the week of activities under the Kingston Book Festival 2012, which comprise a series of reading at venues across Kingston, an exhibition at the National Library, and a large book fair in Emancipation Park on Saturday, March 17.

In her address, Dr. Jean Beaumont, a member of the Wint family, noted that the author has woven some social and political history to bring relevance to the man and his time.

“She has filled gaps, clarified mysteries, and provided insights that sharpen the memories of many family members in the process,” Dr. Beaumont said.

“Arthur Wint clearly understood life, for whom it was a game, and he knew exactly how to play it. He was not a spectator. He was and chose to be an actively engaged competitor. He was in control, and discipline obviously contributed to his ability to plan, to strategise and succeed,” she added.

For her part, the author said she wrote the book because she wanted to chronicle her father’s life.

“I wanted to write from my point of view, from my heart and try to place him within the context of what was happening in Jamaica at the time and within the wider global community, so you get an idea of where things were within his life,” Miss Wint said.

Arthur Wint was a dominant figure at Boys Championships for Calabar and Excelsior High Schools and made history for Jamaica at the 1948 Olympics in London where, in the 400-metre final, upset his more highly ranked teammate, Herb McKenley, in 46.2 seconds.

A doctor by profession, Arthur Wint also placed second in the 800 metres in both the 1948 and 1952 Olympics and crowned his athletic career with a gold medal in the celebrated world record 4×400-metre run in 1952.

His record of winning gold in the 400 metres and silver in the 800 metres in 1948 was not surpassed until 1976 when Cuba’s Alberto Juantorena did the 400 and 800-metre double in Montreal.

Mr. Wint also served Jamaica as High Commissioner from 1974 to 1978 and as a valuable member of its health services, treating many persons in Hanover, St Catherine and at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. He died in 1992.

                                               

By Latonya Linton, JIS Reporter

Last Updated: July 31, 2013

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