When we hear the name Norman Manley, many things come to mind — the Norman Manley Law School as well as high school are two examples. Brilliant scholar, trade unionist and political leader are opt descriptions that also come to mind. What we don’t hear of often though is Norman Manley the athlete.

As we take a look at some of the athletes who have made Champs what it is, this week we will focus on Norman Manley the athlete.

Born in 1893, the Rhodes Scholar and college track and field star first attended Beckford and Smith High School (later renamed St Jago High) where he kindled the sporting fire that would give rise to his amazing future.

It was when he transferred to the prestigious Jamaica College that he made what would prove to be his most indelible mark on sports in this nation.

While competing in the second Boys’ Champs in 1911, Manley posted a brilliant 10 seconds flat in the 110-yard dash — a race that has since been converted to the 100 metres with the change to the metric system. His record stood for an astonishing 41 years until Frank Hall broke it in 1952. In that same year, Manley’s oldest son, Douglas, also broke his father’s mark.