Kingston JAM - Last Thursday evening the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica was packed with Track and Field luminaries for the first leg of the Inaugural CACAC Hall of Fame.

Under the presidency of Victor Lopez from Puerto Rico, the CACAC Hall of Fame was formed as an initiative to preserve the exceptional performances, contributions and services of members of the Central American and Caribbean Family that represented the region at the highest level throughout the years.

What a rich legacy the CAC has!

In the case of athletes the criteria are:

1. To have won a medal in an Olympic or World Championship.

2. To have competed in at least one CAC Championships or Games.

3. To have been retired at least five years.

In the case of director or administrator the criteria are:

1. To have served and contributed to the sport in an exceptional way for twenty years or more.

2. To have been an example to others as a citizen and ambassador of the region.

The first inductions were done Thursday evening, November 27th in Kingston, and Saturday, November 29th at the Hotel Nacional in Havana.

The Jamaican inductees were:

Richard Ashenheim: Administrative and renowned Track and Field Statistician

Dr. Herbert Elliott: Physician

Grace Jackson: 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m Relay, 1600m Relay

Hon. Herbert McKenley: 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m Relay, 1600m Relay

Donald Quarrie: 100m, 200m, 400m Relay

Dr. George Rhoden: 400m, 800m, 1600m Relay

Dr. Arthur Wint (deceased): 400m, 800m, 1600m Relay

Present for the ceremonies in Kingston were the Minister of Sports, Mrs. Portia Simpson-Miller, Mike Fennel, president of the Jamaican Olympic Association, Neville “Teddy” McCook, IAAF Area Representative, president of the JAAA, president of the JAAA’s Patrick Anderson, Victor Lopez, president of the CACAC, and many other Track and Field luminaries.

Those inducted in Havana were:

Silvia Chivas: 100m, 200m, 400m Relay

Maria Caridad Colon: Javelin

Alberto Juantorena: 400m, 800m, 1600m Relay

Silvio Leonard: 100m, 200m, 400m Relay

Jesus Molina: Administrative

Dr. Ricardo Perez: Administrative and Physician

Ana Fidelia Quirot: 400m, 800m, 1600m Relay

Subsequent inductions for this inaugural class will be done in Hamilton, Bermuda during the Carifta Games in April, where statisticians Bernard Linley of Trinidad and Tobago, and Rey O’neal of the British Virgin Islands will be inducted, and in Xalapa, Mexico in May during the Grand Prix where Olympic and World Champion walker Ernesto Canto will be inducted.

The CACAC Hall of Fame is sponsored by MONDO and is intended to be an annual event.