José Jacinto Hidalgo

José Jacinto “Chinto” Hidalgo was first seen as a potential champion as a youngster when he competed in the 1964 South American Youth Athletics Championships at Santiago de Chile and later went on to become one of Venezuela’s top athletes. Apart from competing in two Olympics (1968 and 1972), the highlight of his career individually was in winning the bronze medal in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1971 Pan American Games. Hidalgo was also a member of the Venezuelan team that won the South American Championship at Chile in 1974.

After ending his competitive career, Hidalgo became a coach, and held some important positions with the sport, notably with the National Sports Institute, and as a former director of the Venezuelan Athletics Federation. He was inducted into the Venezuelan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.

Personal Bests: 400 – 46.32 (1968); 400H – 51.2 (1972).