World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear of the death of George Rhoden of Jamaica, winner of the 400m and 4x400m at the 1952 Olympic Games, on Saturday (24) at the age of 97.

Rhoden was born in Kingston in 1926 and spent much of his life in the United States. His first international success came at the 1946 Central American and Caribbean Games, where, despite still being a teenager, he won bronze in the 400-meter dash and gold in the 4×400-meter dash.

In his early twenties, he won numerous NCAA titles during his time at Morgan State University and set a world record in the 400-meter dash with 45.8 meters in Eskilstuna, Sweden in 1950.

Rhoden was an impressive all-round talent and competed in the 1948 Olympic Games over 100 m and in the 1950 and 1954 CAC Games over 800 m.

But he excelled in the 400 m and went to the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki as one of the big favorites. In a thrilling showdown with his Jamaican teammate Herb McKenley, Rhoden won gold in the Finnish capital, setting an Olympic record of 46.09.

Two days later, Rhoden and McKenley shared gold in the 4×400-meter race with a world record of 3:04.04.

One of his last appearances at a major championship was the 1954 CAC Games, where he won four medals: silver in the 400 m and 800 m and gold in the 4 x 100 m and 4 x 400 m.

Athletics World