George Kerr Athlete

George Ezekiel Kerr was a Jamaican athlete who competed in the 400 metres and 800 metres twice making the Olympic Games final in the latter event. He competed for the British West Indies at the 1960 Summer Olympics held in Rome, Italy where he won the bronze medal in the 800 metres. He then teamed up with Keith Gardner, Malcolm Spence and James Wedderburn to win the bronze medal in the 4 x 400 metres. In 1962, he became the first Jamaican athlete to have the national flown in recognition of winning a gold when he won double gold in the 400m and 800m at the Central American and Caribbean Games held at Kingston's National Stadium. At the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, representing Jamaica, he finished fourth in the 800m and the 4x400m relay. He broke the Olympic record for the 800m in the semi-finals but lost the bronze by less than one tenth of a second with 1:45.9, his fastest ever time. Kerr also competed at two Commonwealth Games winning a total of three medals. He won gold in the 440 yards and silver in the 880 yards at the 1962 Games in Perth, Australia. His final medal, a bronze for the 880 yards, came at the 1966 Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

Personal facts

Birth dateOctober 16, 1937
Birth place
Jamaica
Date of deathJune 15, 2012
Place of death
Jamaica

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