Don Quarrie

Don Quarrie was one of the world’s top sprinters in the 1970s. At only 17-years-old, he was set to compete at the 1968 Olympics, but a training injury caused him to miss the Games. Quarrie came to prominence at the 1970 Commonwealth Games, where he won both sprint titles and anchored the Jamaican 4x100 m relay team to the gold medal. Quarrie repeated his sprint double at the 1971 Pan American Games, equaling the 200 m world record of 19.8 in the final. Quarrie was one of the favorites for Olympic sprint golds at the 1972 Olympics, but a pulled muscle in a 200 semi caused him to abandon the race.

In 1974, Quarrie became the first athlete to defend the sprint titles at the Commonwealth Games. In 1975, he again equaled the 200 m world record of 19.8 and equaled the 100 m world record of 9.9 at the California Relays just before the 1976 Montréal Olympics. At the 1976 Olympics Quarrie was injury-free and won the 200 title, but settled for a silver medal in the 100 behind Hasely Crawford.

At the 1978 Commonwealth Games, Quarrie won his third consecutive 100 m crown. He competed at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, but was past his prime, winning only a 200 bronze in 1980 and a sprint relay silver in 1984. Quarrie won US AAU titles in the 200 in 1971 and 1974-75, and in the 100 in 1975 and 1977. He was selected as Jamaican Sportsman of the Year in 1970-71 and 1975-77. After his athletics career, Quarrie was active with the Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.07 (1976); 200 – 19.86 (1971).