Rafael Fortún

Rafael Emilio Fortún Chacón (born August 5, 1919, in Camagüey – died June 22, 1982, in Camagüey) was a male sprinter from Cuba, who twice competed for his native country at the Summer Olympics: 1948 and 1952. His major sporting achievement was winning the 100 and 200 m double at the 1951 Pan American Games, beating American sprinter Art Bragg in both events.

Fortun was ranked by the experts of Track and Field News at 100 m as 10th in the world in 1950 and 5th in 1951.

Fortun was a very successful competitor at the Central American and Caribbean Games. He won the 100 m three times in a row (1946, 1950 and 1954) - the first competitor to achieve such a feat. He also won the 200 m once (in 1946) and was second once (in 1950).

Fortun came from a very humble background in the Cuban province of Camaguey. Originally he was a high jumper but moved to the sprints when he realised his talent for them. He also played baseball, a traditional sporting route out of poverty in Cuba at the time.

Fortun died of cancer in 1982.

International competitions

Personal bests 100 metres – 10.58 (1954) 200 metres – 21.1 (1951)