Harry Jerome's impact on the Canadian Olympics

Harry Jerome: Canadian Olympian Harry Jerome is one of, if not the most influential Canadian Olympian. Jerome competed as a track and field runner. Jerome was born in Saskatchewan on September 30, 1940 and eventually moved with his family to Vancouver in 1951. Although Jerome’s main sport was track and field he also interested in sports such as baseball and football, but he always excelled in speed. Both Jerome’s grandfather, John Howard, and his sister Valerie Jerome completed in the Olympics. Jerome competed in 1960, 1964 and 1968 summer Olympics; he won a gold medal in the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and the 1967 Pan American games. Harry, at age eighteen broke the record for 220 yard sprint, which was held before by Percy Williams. Jerome was one of the most successful Olympians, he held the title as fastest man, holding records in the 100m(10.0 seconds), 100 yard dash(9.1 seconds) and the indoor 60m dash, 4x100m relay(40.0 seconds).
As a member of the Canadian team to the Rome Olympics in 1960, Jerome performed poorly due to a pulled muscle in the semi-final heat of the 100m; he did not qualify for the final. Again at the British Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia in 1962 Jerome had to drop out of the 100m by cause of a ruptured muscle in his left thigh. After Jerome’s injuries doctors believed Jerome may never be able to walk again. Despite his severe injuries Jerome made a strong comeback. In the 1966 Edmonton Games he set the record for 100 yard dash (9.1 seconds), bringing him back his legacy. After Jerome's injuries, he received negative reports from the media who accused him as being a quitter. Jerome didn't take the media's negative opinions to heart, instead he pushed through for what would soon be one of his greatest accomplishments. Through perseverance, physiotherapy, and a supportive family Jerome would once again compete in the Olympics. Jerome's first competition back was in 1964 at the Tokyo Olympics, here he would