Havana, May 8, 1927
Cuba didn't produce quite as many world-class athletes in the 1920s as it does today. The nation's best emerged as sprinter José Barrientos, who dashed to a time of 10.2 in the 100 metres at the national championships, aided by an excessive tailwind. Earlier in the spring, Barrientos had clocked 10.4, which also wasn't ratified as an official world record.
However, Barrientos's sprints cannot be considered mere phantom results, as he ran 21.6 in the 200 metres on a curved track under legal conditions at the championships. This time was the 13th fastest in the world that season.
Barrientos, who carried Cuba's flag at the opening ceremonies of the Amsterdam Olympics, was eliminated in the 100-metre semi-finals. Nevertheless, he made it into the history books, as memorial races bearing the name of the sprinter, who died in a plane crash, are now held annually on the sugar island.