McDonald Bailey

McDonald Bailey was a native Trinidadian sprinter who competed for Britain in the Olympics because Trinidad & Tobago did not yet have a National Olympic Committee. After finishing sixth in the men’s 100 metres at the 1948 Olympics, Bailey returned in 1952 to win a bronze medal. He also just missed the podium in the 200 and 4×100 relay, placing fourth in both events. Between Olympics, Bailey had tied the world record of 10.2 for 100 metres, recording that time in an international match against Yugoslavia in Belgrade on 25 August 1951. He also recorded numerous un-ratified European records, with three marks in the 100 (1946, 1947, 1950), and six marks in the 200 in 1950-52. Between 1946-52 Bailey won 14 individual British sprint titles, winning the 100 and 220 yards in 1946-47, and 1949-53;

After serving in Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF), Bailey played professional rugby league for a bit and then returned to Trinidad in 1963 and spent the rest of his life on the Caribbean island. In 1977 he was awarded Trinidad & Tobago’s Chaconia Medal for service to the islands.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.2 (1951); 200 – 20.9 (1950).