Puerto Rico competed in the Summer Olympic Games for the first time at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Great Britain. Nine competitors, all men, took part in eight events in three sports.
History The first Olympic participation took place at London 1948. Prior to the games, the topic of which flag was to be used was contentious. Despite being tasked with reorganizing the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee, Julio Enrique Monagas opposed the participation of Puerto Rico in the games at first. However, his work in the games, which included mingling with representatives of other countries, would be praised afterwards. After participating under the United States flag favored by the colonial government at the 1946 Central American and Caribbean Games, a new flag bearing the Coat of Arms was used in 1948. Since the American delegation was already present in the event, duplicity was to be avoided. However, at London bearer Miguel A. Barasorda demanded that he was allowed to exhibit the flag of Puerto Rico, with Monagas claiming that Luis Muñiz Marín had banned its use. This led to José Vicente becoming the last moment replacement.
On 16 July 1947, Monagas made his ignorance of IOC practices obvious when he sent a letter admitting that the local committee was a government entity, at a time when political involvement was prohibited by the organization. On 17 September 1947, he requested affiliation to the IAAF. Otto Mayer demanded that it complied with protocol in a reply to the first letter sent a week later. On 1 October, Ernest J.H. Holt echoed this stance on behalf of the IAAF. In January 1948, Puerto Rico's application was favorably received despite being affiliated to the government, giving birth to the COPUR. At the United States, this caused some controversy along the likes of Dan Ferris. On 25 March 1948, Puerto Rico was invited to the London Games. On 15 April 1948, the United States opposed the invitation. This stance was later reversed, under unknown conditions.
At the Puerto Rico House of Representatives funding of $10,000 was approved for the Games, but governor Jesús T. Piñero vetoed it. Despite causing controversy, Monagas sided with the governor. As a civilian initiative was being organized, the politicians reversed their stance and supported sending the delegation to London. However, a small delegation was sent as a formality, with no expectation of winning medals. Monagas himself led the group, accompanied by trainer Eugenio Guerra. The participation of Puerto Rico at the event gathered considerable media coverage from the likes of El Mundo. A parallel political debate was waged in the media. Upon the delegation's return, Piñero's stance had shifted to one of support for future participation in the Olympics.
Medalists Medal Name Sport Event Boxing Bantamweight (51-54 kg)
Athletics
Track events EventAthletesHeatSemifinalFinalResultRankResultRankResultRank110 m hurdlesJulio E. Sabater 15.3 =14Did not advance
Field events EventAthletesQualificationFinalResultRankResultRankHigh jumpBenjamín Casado 1.84 =21Did not advancePole vaultJosé "Fofo" Vicente 4.00 = 9th (T) 3.95 =9José Celso Barbosa 4.00 = 9th (T) 3.95 =9 Legend: NP = Notable Performance Q = Qualified for Finals
Boxing
AthleteEventRound of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsBronze FinalFinalOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResultOppositionResult Juan VenegasBantamweight (51-54 kg) W PTS W PTS W PTS L PTS W PTS Did not advanceClotilde ColónFeatherweight (54–58 kg) W KO R1 L PTSDid not advanceIsrael QuitconLight-heavyweight (73-80 kg) W RSC R1 L RSC R3Did not advance
Legend: PTS = Points RSC = Referee Stop Contest R = Round
Shooting
Rifle EventAthleteQualificationFinalScoreRankScoreRank50 m rifle proneGeorge Johnson59025XX
Pistol EventAthleteQualificationFinalScoreRankScoreRank50 m pistolMiguel Barasorda50139XX
References Footnotes
Bibliography
External links Official Olympic Reports International Olympic Committee results database