By ELTON TUCKER, Asst. Sport EditorTHE FOLOWING IS the third in a series on Jamaica's performances at the Olympics. Last week we looked at the outstanding achievements of Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley, George Rhoden and Les Laing at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Today we feature Jamaica's performances at the 1956 Games in Melbourne, Australia. The STAR SPORT Olympic coverage is sponsored by Digicel.
MELBOURNE 1956 proved to be disappointing for Jamaica.
Gone were Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley and George Rhoden, the men who conquered the world in 1948 and 1952.
The Jamaican team was now in a period of 'rebuilding' and a small team of six men made the long trip 'down under'. It included the Spence twins, Mel and Mal, George Kerr, Keith Gardner and high jumper Ernie Haisley.
All were to become stars in later years winning gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games. Gardner, now the director of the local Multicare Foundation, won double gold (100 yards and 120 yards hurdles) in the 1958 Commonwealth Games while Haisley took the high jump gold.
Strong tradition
In Melbourne, Jamaica, after two glorious Games in 1948 and 1952 failed to get among the medals. Despite this the Spence twins, Kerr and Gardner kept up the island's strong tradition in the 4x400m. They ran 3:10.9 in the heats but were disqualified after placing sixth in the final.
The two best performers in individual events were the Spence twins. Both reached the semi-finals of the 400m. Mel was fourth (47.3) in the first semi-final (there were only six lanes) while Mal was sixth (47.4) in the second.
The twins, Mel (21.9) and Mal (21.7) also ran the 200m but were eliminated in the heats along with Richard Estick.
Kerr reached the second round of the 400m with a best time of 47.7.
Sprinter Gardner also failed to get past the heats of both the 100m and 110m hurdles clocking 11.1 and 14.6 respectively.
