Olmeus Charles

Haiti’s presence in athletics competitions in the 1970s aroused interest and suspicion, and the performance of Olmeus Charles at the 1976 Montréal Olympics was no exception.

Believed to be a member of President “Baby Doc” Duvalier’s infamous Security Force (previously known as Tonton Macoute), that seemed to be good enough reason to get Charles a trip to Canada. Duvalier, who picked the Haiti team in 1972 and 1976, rewarded either trusted friends or members of his Army with Olympic trips. It was obvious Charles was not a runner, as his time of 42:00.11 in his heat of the 10,000 metres confirmed. It was the worst recorded time for the distance.

Charles’ time was almost 14 minutes behind that of heat winner Carlos Lopes, and he finished almost eight minutes after the next-to-last man, Chris McCubbins of Canada. Charles still had nearly eight laps remaining when Lopes finished, and the rest of the day’s schedule, and TV schedule, had to be held up while Charles plodded the final six laps all alone. Sections of the crowd booed him, but many more cheered as he showed the real expression of the Olympic ideal and, as each time he passed the giant screens in the stadium, he stopped to wave to himself. When the final bell went he put on a “sprint” to the finish with a last lap of 84 seconds. Much to the delight of the organisers, Charles did not show up at the start of the marathon for which he was also entered.

Personal Best: 10000 – 42:00.11 (1976).