Jacinto Ortiz Angulo

One of the great athletes of Cuban pre-revolutionary sports. He was born in Cienfuegos, but moved as a child to Cárdenas and Santa Clara. A spectacular sprinter, nicknamed Moro Lindo and Rayo Humano.

In addition to track and field, he practiced baseball. His significance for the province is demonstrated by the fact that until the year 2000, his Provincial Record (10.3 set in 1938 in Ciudad Panamá) was not surpassed.

In the midst of a period of neglect and indolence on the part of Cuban sports authorities, Jacinto Ortiz managed to make an impact on the international scene, thanks above all to the help of his coach Dr. Rafael Ruiz Miyar. He was unable to attend the Central American Games in San Salvador in 1935; but he did manage to be present at the IV Games in Ciudad Panamá in 1938. There the Cuban runner would enter history:

The most important of the records in this edition of what were then called Central American Olympics was achieved by Panamanian Jennings Blackett and our representative in the semifinals of the 100 meters, with 10.3, thus equaling the world record in effect, held by none other than northern star Jesse Owens, from two years earlier (Berlin Olympics '36).

To reach this qualitative level, Jacinto Ortiz had to navigate a hazardous career, which did not prevent him from ranking among the best of his era. In addition to this mentioned mark (which would have been sufficient in itself), Moro Lindo returned from Ciudad Panamá with three medals: silver in the 100m, gold in the 200m (with 21.7) and bronze in the short relay.

During the 1930s, Ortiz made tours through the U.S. and Mexico, awakening the admiration of the press, equaling the 10.3 mark once more and, as a victim of an era, imitating the great Owens by running himself against a racing horse.

In the 1940s he decided to leave athletic racing and dedicated himself to baseball. In this sport he became part of professional teams in Mexico ("Los Leones").

At the beginning of the Revolution and years after his retirement, he dedicated himself to teaching the National Sport. He is now retired and stands today as a living glory of Cuban and Villa Clara sports of all time.