Jacobo Bucaram began his sporting career as a track and field athlete, showing great potential as a sprinter in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Bucaram competed at the 1965 Bolivarian Games, the 1967 Pan American Games, and the 1967 South American Championships. At the 1969 South American Championships he came fifth in the 100 metres and fourth in the 200 metres. He also ran in the 4 x 100 metres relay along with his brother Abdalá, who later served as the President of Ecuador. A few months before the championships Bucaram set an Ecuadorian record in the 100 metres when he ran 10.4 seconds in Quito. He also set national records in both the 200 metres and the 110 metres hurdles. Following his sporting career he held various political positions and served as the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ecuador from 1996 to 1997.
Ecuador