Malvin Greston “Mal” Whitfield (October 11, 1924 – November 19, 2015) was an African-American athlete….goodwill ambassador….and airman. Nicknamed “Marvelous Mal”….he was the Olympic champion in the 800 meters at the 1948 London Olympics and 1952 Helsinki Olympics….and a member of the 1948 gold medal team in the 4 × 400 meters relay. Overall, Whitfield was a five-time Olympic medalist (three gold, one silver, one bronze). After his competitive career….he worked for forty-seven years as a coach, goodwill ambassador, and athletic mentor in Africa on behalf of the United States Information Service.
Arthur Stanley Wint (25 May 1920 – 19 October 1992) was the first Jamaican Olympic gold medalist….winning the 400 meters at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London in 46.2 seconds….beating his team-mate Herb McKenley….winning the silver in the 800 meters….coming in 2nd after American Mal Whitfield‘s gold. Wint missed a probable third medal when he pulled a muscle in the 4 x 400 meters relay final. In Helsinki in 1952….he was part of the historic team setting the world record while capturing the gold in the 4 x 400 meter relay. He also won silver in the 800 meters…..again coming second to Mal Whitfield.
