Jamaica's sports minister mourns the late sprinter Isis Clarke-Reid
Clarke, who was 100 years old, died at her home in Florida on Monday.
“I am sad at the passing of Isis Clarke-Reid, an extraordinary woman who helped to lay the foundation for what Jamaica has achieved in track and field. I had received news of her failing health and had been making preparations to visit her overseas when the COVID crisis disrupted international travel,” Minister Grange said.
“Long before Shelly-Ann Frazer-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown or Merlene Ottey, there was Isis Clarke, competing on dirt tracks; setting and breaking records; and helping to establish Jamaica as a serious competitor in the sport.”
Isis Clarke was a versatile athlete, competing in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and 80 metres low hurdles.
She first represented Jamaica in international competition at the 1938 Central American and Caribbean Games held in Panama City. There, she, Gertrude Messam, Rhona Saunders and Beryl Delgado won the bronze medal in the 4x100 metres relay. At the 1946 CAC Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, Clarke was a member of the Jamaican team that won the silver medal in the 4x100 metres relay, running with Cynthia Thompson, Hyacinth Walters and Cynthia Llewlyn.
She was also a strong advocate for women in athletics, which she described as being ‘good for health’ in a 1938 newspaper quote.
“As a nation, we are grateful for the part that Isis Clarke-Reid, the ‘Champion Girl Sprinter’ played in Jamaica’s sports development. We are thankful for her long life—100 years—and the inspiration that she has been and will continue to be,” Minister Grange said.
“I offer sincerest condolences to her family and friends.”