Athletics Hero: Don Quarrie

Full name: Donald O'Reilly "Don" Quarrie
Nickname(s): DQ
Gender: Male
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Weight: 154 lbs (70 kg)
Born: 25/02/1951
Origin: Kingston, Surrey, Jamaica
Event: 100m, 200m, 4x100m, 4x400m

The legendary Don Quarrie was a world class sprinter which regarded as one of the finest sprinters in the history of track and field. He was graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Business and Public Administration.

His international debuts begin in 1968, when he was selected for the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City at just 17-year-old. However he couldn’t take part at the Olympics because he had an injury a few days before the Games were kicked off.
Aged 21 in 1970, Donald Quarrie captured three gold medals at the 9th Commonwealth Games, held at Edinburgh Scotland. Quarrie’s gold produced from sprint events of 100m (10.24w), 200m (20.56) and 4x100m (39.46).

In 1971, Don Quarrie wins double gold of 100m and 200m at the Pan American Games in Cali, Columbia where he eclipsed the 200m HT world record with a time of 19.8. His unofficial electronic time was 19.86, 0.03 slower than the current world record (ET) at the time, which set by Tommie Smith at altitude with 19.83 in 1968.

Quarrie’s first running at the Olympics was in 1972 in Munich. He competed in 200m and won the round 1 with a time of 21.04. Being placed at the lane 8 in quarterfinals won’t obstruct him to win a ticket of semifinals by placed second with 20.43. At the semifinal, Quarrie injured himself subsequently caused elimination.

The 10th Commonwealth Games, held in Christchurch New Zealand in 1974 was Quarrie’s second participation in the CG. As the favorite, Quarrie repeated his dominance in the sprint events when he captured two gold medals in the 100m (10.38) and 200m (20.73).

In 1975, Donald Quarrie was among the world's top sprinters. He beat American Steve Williams to win a 220 yards race, with both men clocked in 19.9, a new world record. And he had also equalled 200 metres (19.8) in the previous years.

In 1976 after winning the JAAA's 100/200 titles, Quarrie could finally compete at the Qlympics without injuries. At the first round of 100m, he ran a modest 10.38 in an easy winning, and then won the quarterfinals in 10.33 before made into final after placed second in the semis in 10.26. Don Quarrie won his first medal in the Olympics after wins a silver medal in the final by clocking a new personal best time of 10.08. The race showed Quarrie was trailing Hasely Crawford of Trinidad and Tobago who took the led from the sound of the gun. Crawford, however stopped the clock at 10.07 to bagged the gold. In the 200 m, Quarrie won all three of previous rounds with 20.85 ( round 1), followed by 20.48 (quarterfinals) and then 20.28 in the semifinals. At the final round, Quarrie led the pack coming out of the turn, and held off all challenges to take the title in 20.22 ahead of Americans Millard Hampton (20.29) and Dwayne Evans (20.43). He also teamed-up with the national squad of 4x400m to placed 5th 3:02.84 the final round, where he ran a split 46.3. Apart from those victories, Don Quarrie set an outstanding performances when he ran a blistering 9.9s, tied the hand time’s world record for the 100 metres at the time.

At the 1978 Commonwealth Games, he won his third consecutive 100 m title with a time of 10.03 (wind aided) defeated his great rivals Allan Wells (10.07) and Hasely Crawford (10.09). However, he was eliminated in the 200 m after a cramp attack during the semifinals.

In 1980, his fourth Olympics, held in Moscow, Quarrie involved in a car accident while training for the Olympics. He was able to recover and make the team in 100m and 200m. In the 100m, he doesn’t advance to the final after eliminated at the semifinals when he placed fifth in 10.55. Ironically, he ran faster times at the previous rounds with 10.37 (round 1) and 10.29 (quarterfinals). Nevertheless, he made into the final round for 200m after wins his round 1 (20.87) and quarterfinals (20.89) and placed second in the semifinals (20.77) then ended up with the Bronze medal in the final with a time of 20.29.

By 1984, Quarrie was no longer among the world's best in the individual sprint events, and it was therefore no surprise he was eliminated by place seventh (20.77) in the semifinal of the 200 m event at the Los Angeles, where he ran at his fifth Olympic Games. However, he won a fourth Olympic medal with the Jamaican 4x100m relay team with a time of 38.62, which finished second behind the United States.

Don Quarrie’s achievements for almost 20 years were firmly memorable and noteworthy. He has received recognition both on and off the field, a statue of him is proudly positioned at the entrance to Jamaica's National Stadium. There is also a school that bears his name (Donald Quarrie High School) in Kingston. His winning at the Olympics has stirred great pride in the nation and was the focal point of discussions for quite some time. He even became a kind of folk figure in Jamaica. Many Jamaicans still refer to him in casual conversation, citing his speed in comparison to an event. Comments like, "I was running so fast, not even Don Quarrie could have caught me that night." are common among Jamaican Nationals. With all his accomplishments, Quarrie always maintained a good natured attitude and was admired and respected by his peers. He is a true legend!