Rafael Emilio Fortún Chacón

Cuban athlete specialized in sprint racing. He was a three-time champion in the Panamerican Sports Games and a three-time medalist in the Central American and Caribbean Games. He achieved a total of five gold medals and three silver medals.

Rafael Fortún was born in the city of Camagüey. He studied in his native city until completing high school, and enrolled in the University of La Habana in the Law program, which he was unable to complete.

Due to his physical abilities, he was recruited to compete in sprint races and long jump.

In his first competition—in Camagüey, in the year 1941—he represented the Brotherhood of Young Cubans in the high jump. In that specialty he once tied with Gerardo Casanova, the Cuban record holder at that time.

At the Inter Antilles Games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1944, he won bronze medals in the 200-meter race and in high jump—with a mark of 1.88 meters.

After that experience, he decided to specialize as a short-distance runner, following the suggestions of several sports experts. He always trained running barefoot, at the Casino Campestre and its surroundings, until the priest Pedro Jaime Massaguer gave him his first running shoes.

He became known in competitions called by the Sports Organization of Cuba, as well as at the first festival in memory of José Barrientos, held in 1946. In December of that same year he was part of the Cuban delegation to the V Central American and Caribbean Games, in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he set a speed record in the 100-meter dash—with a time of 10.4 seconds—and defeated Panamanian Lloyd La Beach, who two years later would win a bronze medal at the London Olympic Games. Furthermore, he won the 200 meters with 21.6 seconds and finished with a silver medal in the 4 x 100-meter relay.

At the VI Central American and Caribbean Games, held in Guatemala during February and March of 1950, he improved his previous speed by running the 100-meter dash in 10.3 seconds. He also competed in the 4 x 100-meter relay and obtained second place in the 200-meter race.

In March of 1954, at the VII Central American and Caribbean Games, celebrated in Mexico City, he did not compete in the 200 meters due to a suffered injury, but he won a gold medal in the 100-meter dash with 10.5 seconds, and a silver medal in the 4 x 100-meter relay race. He was already 35 years old, an advanced age for an athlete successful in any of those difficult events. Before that third triumph in the Central American and Caribbean Games, Fortún had successfully participated in two Olympic Games; the first in 1948 in London, where he reached the semifinals, and in 1952 in Helsinki.

He had also taken part in the First Panamerican Sports Games, in Buenos Aires, during the months of February and March of 1951. In them he was the star of athletics, winning gold medals in the 100 and 200-meter dashes, and a silver medal in the 4 x 100-meter relay race, alongside Jesús Farrés, Ángel García and Raúl Mazorra.

Fifteen days before the Buenos Aires games he had been dismissed from his modest position at the Ministry of Public Works, so on his way through San Juan—on his return trip to Cuba—he thought about settling in Puerto Rico, since they offered him advantageous opportunities there: a scholarship to pursue university studies in mechanical engineering or physical education, with lodging and financial aid, and a good contract to participate in some sporting events. He decided to return to Cuba first to visit his family, and when he arrived in Havana he learned that the irritated public opinion and the press had forced the Minister of Public Works to declare that his dismissal had been an error, and to re-employ him, in a better-paid position. Rafael Fortún then decided to remain in his country.

He also participated in the continental games in Mexico City, in 1955, and in Chicago, in 1959, where he won the 100-meter dash competitions.

Considered the best short-distance runner in the Americas, he remained as the absolute champion of the 100 and 200-meter dash races for eight years, from 1946 to 1954. He maintained his national record of 100 meters—of 10.3 seconds—from 1950 to 1960, and that of 200 meters—of 21.2 seconds—from 1951 to 1965; for fourteen years. Only Enrique Figuerola was able to improve on his marks thereafter.

He retired as an active athlete in 1955, when he was defeated on two occasions by Figuerola, who over the years would also become a star of Cuban and world athletics.

Certified as a physical education teacher, after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution of 1959 he specialized as a coach, work that he combined with those of judge or assistant starter in national and international competitions.

He passed on his experiences to new talents in Cuban athletics such as Enrique Figuerola, Miguelina Cobián, Alberto Juantorena, Silvio Leonard and others.

Death surprised Rafael Fortún while he was serving on the Preparation Committee for the XIV Central American and Caribbean Games, in Havana, on June 22, 1982.

He was recognized among the hundred best Cuban athletes of the twentieth century.