Harry Winston Jerome
Despite his relatively short life, Harry Jerome was probably the most internationally
known Black British Columbian, recognition he achieved as a result of his unparalleled
accomplishments as a world class sprinter.
Horn in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on September 30, 1940, Harry was the oldest of five children born to Harry and Elsie Jerome. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to North Vancouver, where he attended elementary and high school.
Harry was always athletic and was involved in baseball, hockey and football, as well as running. However, it was nor until 1957 at North Vancouver High School that his exceptional talent as a sprinter started to surface. His skills as a sprinter earned him a track scholarship to the University of Oregon, where he obtained a master's degree in physical education.
Upon graduating from Oregon, Harry returned to Vancouver and took up teaching, a career that lasted a short time. He went to work for Sports Canada, where he was involved in developing programs that would develop athletic skills in young people on a national basis. His concern and desire to help youth was something he earnestly pursued until his untimely death.
Jerome's career as a sprinter was made more phenomenal by the fact that it spanned more than a decade at world-class levels, and also because he overcame a severe injury to his thigh, that was considered so serious it was doubted that he would ever achieve the level of competition he had once enjoyed. During his career, Jerome set world records of 9.1 seconds in the 100 yds., 10.00 seconds in the 100 meters, and was a member of the Oregon 4 x 100 meter relay team that ran 38 seconds over the distance. Apart from the world records, he also beat every world-ranked sprinter he came up against on various occasions.
When Harry's competitive running life was over, he began to develop another aspect of his character, that of a humanitarian, concerned about the disadvantaged in Canadian Society. This aspect of Harry was little-known, but that was not unusual for a man who was basically shy about his accomplishments.
When Harry Winston Jerome died on December 7, 1982, at the age of 42, he had obtained three world records and received the Order of Canada from the Canadian Government. He also left behind an example of dedication and a striving for excellence than can inspire us all.