Orlando first became involved as a casual track & field official in the early 1950’s while he was still an engineering student at the University of Toronto. He became interested in the sport because one of his classmates, Richard “Dick” Harding was an outstanding world class sprinter. At the time, Orlando, as many other spectators, were often “pulled” out of the stands to help officiate. (Unfortunately, not an uncommon practice even today!)

Some highlights of Orlando’s career as a track & field official, administrator and surveyor are:

joined the Central Ontario Branch of the AAU of Canada (Track & Field) as a member-at-large in 1960 and was elected President in 1961. He served as President for two years (1961-63) and Past President for a further two years (1963-1965).
for the 1962 Canadian Championships and British Empire Games Trials at East York Collegiate track, he constructed the steeplechase water jump and measured out and marked the start lines and hurdle positions on the clay and cinder track
served as the Chair of the Records Committee and Honours and Awards Committee (1964-1965) of the Central AAU Branch and Central Ontario Track & Field Association (COTFA)
assisted in the formation of and served on the Board of the new Ontario Track & Field Association following the merger of the Central, Southwestern and Northwestern Ontario branches of the Canadian Track & Field Association in the 1970’s
was an active official during the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s – reaching the Level 4 status as a Track Referee; he also worked many meets as a Technical Manager
involved as a consultant to architects of the design of track & field facilities and to contractors that employ him to mark out all-weather tracks. Between 1962 and the present Orlando has marked out over 100 tracks, including one in Newfoundland; the first 400 metric track in Ontario in Udora in 1962 and the famous C.N.E. track, the first 400m all-weather track in Ontario, in 1967.
as a volunteer, has assisted the Association in surveying numerous throwing fields and in the laying out of start lines for new events.