George Rhoden

George Rhoden first competed internationally at the 1948 Olympics, but failed to medal. He was also a member of the heavily favored Jamaican 4x400 relay team, but when Arthur Wint pulled a muscle in the final, their medal chances disappeared. As one of the top long sprinters at the start of 1950s, Rhoden set a world record in the 400 metres of 45.8 on 22 August 1950 at Eskilstuna, Sweden. At the 1952 Olympics Rhoden was more successful. He was one of the pre-race favorites in the 400 m as the world record holder and won a close battle against his team-mate Herb McKenley. As the anchor runner for the Jamaican 4x400 relay team, Rhoden added a second Olympic gold, edging the United States by a tenth of a second and setting a world record of 3:03.9. Rhoden also won the AAU Championships in 400 m from 1949-51 and, as a Morgan State University student, won the NCAA championships in the 220 yds in 1951 and the 440 yds from 1950-52.

Personal Best: 400 – 45.8 (1950).