THANKS FOR LISTENING TO THE LATEST RETIREMENT OF A FAMOUS OLYMPIC CHAMPION
AND WORLD RECORD COUNT VINCENT. BUT ALWAYS KNOWN AS GEORGE RHODEN…
He was one of my heroes in my early days as a trailer enthusiast.
He was a Jamaican at Morgan State University in Baltimore
NCAA 400 Champion (as one of the earliest NCAA International Champions)
Penn Relays is an excellent, main star indoor circuit that is packed
big arenas like Madison Square Garden regularly, and more…
But more remarkable was his Olympic 400 victory in Helsinki in 1952
and as Jamaica WR-setting 4×400 star (beating Team USA)
In the 1952 Olympics.
He lowered the WR from 400 to 45.8 in the famous 1950 race at Eskilstuna in Sweden.
Remember reading that AP story in the NY Times and saying, “Wow!!! “
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And here are my personal memories…
As a child I would go on dates (with older brother Martin) and often ask the stars if I could take their photos…
During the Seton Hall Relays at the Newark High School Stadium, I vividly remember asking,
“Mr. Roden, can I take a photo?’
and he happily obliged, getting into the “set” position.
One of his famous teammates at Morgan State was the famous Bob Tyler of Asbury Pk.
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When he and his famous Jamaica teammates Herb McKenley, Arthur Wint
and Leslie Lane won the 4×400 in Helsinki in 1952; that the Jamaican team trained
by one of my early guiding lights, the great coach Joe Yancey of the Pioneer Club in New York,
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After the 1952 Olympics, the “old” Shore AC fades away
(probably due to dwindling finances) it was the “old” Shore AC
the founding father, Mr. James Wisner, who formulated
famous and popular “Dream Team” (4×400) all over Oly. gold medalists
now running for the Grand St Boys Club of New York…
That team was Mal Whitfield, Andy Stanfield, Herb McKenley… and George Rhoden.
In one glorious winter, they set every record in the 4×400 room.
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In 1971, when we organized the Shore AC team trip to Scandinavia,
I always wanted to bring the band to Eskilstuna, Sweden.
In memory of George Rhoden’s famous 45.8 there…
Well, we couldn’t work it out, but we still had a great time
Denmark, Norway and Finland!!
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Here (below) is George Roden’s obituary…
I hope you enjoy this story of a personal adventure from the past…
Best to all,
Elliot Denman
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August 26, 2024
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Following the death of two-time Olympic gold medalist George Roden, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has paid tribute to the veteran athlete, calling him “one of the building blocks of our sport in Jamaica.”
In a statement to the media on Monday, the JAAA expressed its sadness, saying it was “in mourning to learn of the passing of two-time Olympic gold medalist George Rhoden.” He showed real strength and determination in each of his races and was a reliable team member,” said JAAA President Garth Gale. “He would crush every event, giving his all for his team and his country. His performances in 1952 will always be remembered because they laid the foundation for the strong athletics nation we are today.”
Rodin, who won the 400m and was part of the Golden Four that won the 4x400m at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, died in the United States over the weekend.
