Bruny Surin

Born in Haiti, Bruny Surin was part of the best 4x100 m relay team in the mid-90s, alongside Robert Esmie, Glenroy Gilbert and Donovan Bailey. Surin’s family moved to Canada in 1975 and Surin made his international début at the 1987 Pan-American Games, where he was 15th in the long jump. Although Surin also long jumped at the 1988 Olympics and the 1990 Commonwealth Games, he was better known as a sprinter.

Individually Surin won sprint gold medals in the 60 metres at the 1993 and 1995 World Indoor Championships. He also won silver medals in the 100 metres at the 1995 and 1999 World Championships. With the Canadian sprint relay team, Surin won gold medals at the 1996 Olympics, the 1994 Commonwealth Games, the 1998 Goodwill Games, and the 1995 and 1997 World Championships, adding a bronze at the 1993 Worlds. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Surin was eliminated in the semifinals of the 100 metres and his last major championship race came in the semifinals of the 100 m at the 2001 World Championships, where he was injured and had to be helped off the track in a wheelchair.

Personal Bests: 100 – 9.84 (1999); LJ – 8.03 (1987).