Rolando Cruz


Rolando Cruz is a former pole vaulter from Puerto Rico. He trained under Jimmy Curran at Mercersburg Academy and Jim 'Jumbo' Elliott at Villanova University. He competed for his native country in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1956 and was the flag bearer for Puerto Rico in the 1964 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. He is a three-time gold medalist at the Central American and Caribbean Games: 1959, 1962 and 1966.
His personal best in pole vault was 4.96 metres set in 1964. His brother, Rubén Cruz, was also a pole vaulter.
Cruz later became a lawyer and president of a life insurance company. From 1977 to 1981 he served as Commissioner Of Insurance of Puerto Rico.

International competitions