Kingston JAM - Seven outstanding Jamaican track & field pioneers were on Thursday, November 27 inducted in the inaugural Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation Hall of Fame at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. 

Administrators attorney-at-law Richard Ashenheim and Dr Herb Elliott; were honoured alongside track greats Hon Herb McKenley, Grace Jackson; Donald Quarrie, Dr George Rhoden and the late Dr Arthur Wint. 

Mr. Ashenheim a renowned statistician and Dr Elliot, medical practitioner and sports medicine specialist as well as the five athletes are among a group of 18 persons from Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and the British Virgin Islands being inducted in the first CAC Hall of Fame. 

Jamaica’s Minister of Sports Mrs. Portia Simpson Miller congratulated the CAC for awarding these outstanding individuals. “The CAC deserves very high praise for establishing a Hall of Fame to recognize and encourage exceptional performance by the members of the fraternity”, she said. 

Speaking on behalf of the other inductees, Grace Jackson, said, “as we pause to reflect on all of the things that have brought us to this week, this day, this time, this place, and into this regional Hall of Fame, we recognize that we all have much to be thankful for, and many, many people to thank. 

“First, we thank Mr. Victor Lopez, President of the Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation. As a coach at Rice University, he has interfaced with many Jamaicans over the years, and his coaching skills have honed the performance of many Caribbean athletes. We commend Mr. Lopez for his zeal and drive, and his work with others to make this regional Hall of Fame a possibility.

“We, the first inductees to the Hall of Fame, accept this honour from the Committee. And, we extend our congratulations to the other athletes and administrators who will join us with the induction of other members in Cuba this weekend; as well as in Bermuda, next April; and Mexico in May 2004. 

“This kind of honour for Caribbean athletes and administrators, signals a new level of recognition for performers in this region, she continued. 

“Tonight we are grateful that we could represent our schools, community and country in various arenas and stadiums…at countless local, regional or international meets. We have been trained, pained and gained. We have won and lost. We have cried. We have laughed. We have “walked with kings” and not “lose the common touch.” 

Mrs Norma Wint, was on hand to accept her late husband’s award from President Victor Lopez.