Winners: Donovan Bailey, Athletics
Donovan Bailey waves to the crowd before competing in the 4x100m race at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Date: August 2, 1996
Collection: CP photo/Frank Gunn
1996 - Feature Story
Every Olympic Gold medal is special, but the one most coveted goes to the winner of the men’s 100m champion, for with the medal comes the title of World’s Fastest Man. A year prior to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Bailey of Oakville, Ontario, proved world’s fastest at the 1995 IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, winning the men’s 100m, while also contributing to Canada’s victory in the 4x100m relay. A world championship brings great honour, but an Olympic Gold medal is unparalleled. Bailey was slow out of the blocks when the pistol blasted the start of the 1996 Olympic 100m final, but the 28-year-old Canadian accelerated through every stride to win the Olympic marquee event in a world record 9.84 seconds. Eight days later Bailey ran the anchor leg as Canada upset the favoured American foursome to win the men’s 4x100m relay final.
Career Highlights
- 1997 Gold medallist in the 4x100m relay and Silver medallist in the 100m at the World Track and Field Championships in Athens
- 1996 Gold medal in the 100m and the 4 x 100m relay at the Olympic Games in Atlanta
- 1996-1999 World record holder of 9.84 seconds for 100m race
- 1996 Lionel Conacher Award (Canada’s male athlete of the year)
- 1995 Gold medallist in the 100m and 4 x 100m relay at the World Track and Field Championships in Gothenberg, Sweden
Donovan Bailey receives the baton from Bruny Surin in the 4x100m race at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Date: August 3, 1996
Collection: CP photo/Frank Gunn
Donovan Bailey running on the track with the Canadian flag at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Date: July 27, 1996
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Shoe worn by Donovan Bailey during his warm-up before the 150 metre race against Michael Johnson.
Date: 1997
Collection: Images © 2010 Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto
