Left: Runner George Kerr in 1962. Right: Junior Jackson

It was the ninth Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and Jamaica, fresh from having gained independence just nine days earlier, hosted the athletics section of the games at the National Stadium, August 15 to 28, 1962. A total of 1,559 athletes representing 15 countries took part.

George Kerr, who won the 400-metre and 800-metre double in 45.9 and 1:51 seconds, respectively; Mahoney Samuels, who won the triple jump (15.52 metres); the men's 4x400m team (3:11.6); and women's 4x100m team (47.00), gave Jamaica five gold medals.

With five gold, three silver and five bronze medals (5-3-5), Jamaica finished third in the standings behind winners Cuba 7-4-3 and Venezuela 6-6-4.

It was a most memorable performance and a wonderful Independence gift for the people of the new nation. However, for a five-year-old lad who attended the gala with his parents, it meant even more.

Lasting impression

"It left a lasting impression on me that can never be erased," former national footballer Junior Jackson told The Gleaner. "I was five years old and I remember it vividly, the gala affair was very exciting. In my 47 years (since then) there hasn't been anything else like it for me."

However, a lot has happened in the life of the country since then, both positive and negative, Jackson acknowledged.

"One of the things that leave a positive impression is how the election process has been cleaned up. I remember there was a time persons used to vote several times, but the system has turned around," he said.

"The negative, without hesitation, is definitely the crime. If the government had the will, they could curtail crime. If you want to solve the problem, start from scratch, the petty crime."

Nevertheless, Jackson thinks being independent has been relatively good for Jamaica.

"It has worked out for Jamaica, contrary to what other people might say. It has because we're our own boss. In colonial days, the country was better off (economically) but we're our own boss now. That's basically the positive, we make our own decisions."