Donovan Bailey, one of Canada’s most iconic sports figures, set the 100m world record at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, when he ran a time of 9.84 seconds to become the world’s fastest man. A week later, Bailey helped Canada’s 4x100m relay team to another gold medal.
Donovan Bailey spoke with Kayla Grey about his memoir Undisputed: A Champion's Life at the KPE Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport last Thursday.
With seven gold and five silver medals to his name from various international championships, Bailey was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame twice – as an individual athlete in 2004 and as part of the 4x100 relay team in 2008. But, while his athletic achievements have been well documented, the accounts of his life didn’t always paint the full picture.
“I wasn’t always in control of my story,” said Bailey at the launch of his memoir Undisputed: A Champion's Life, hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) at the University of Toronto last week. “With this book, I wanted to tell my life story through my lens.”
Speaking to Kayla Grey, host and executive producer of The Shift with Kayla Grey, Bailey touched on many topics, including his experience growing up in Jamaica, his pride in his roots and his love of his family, who imprinted the value of a good education on him and his four brothers.
“Sometimes you watch what’s being reported [in the media] and you see someone achieve something great and the story is about the struggle, parents working three jobs, kids dodging bullets,” said Bailey. “I wanted to show that our stories are the same and that parents everywhere want to put their kids on the right path - and that path starts with education.”
Bailey said he felt grateful for the opportunity to launch his book at U of T, Canada’s best university, to underscore his strong belief that education is the foundation of success.
“Too often the focus is only on sports,” he said.
Bailey signed copies of his memoir and posed for pictures with many fans - new and old.
Bailey studied economics at Sheridan College and played on the school’s basketball team. After graduating with a diploma in business administration, he started his own marketing and investment-consulting business, occasionally entering sprint races.
It wasn’t until 1993 that he joined the Canadian team at the world championships and started his sprint up the rankings. He set a Canadian record of 9.91 sec in the 100m dash at the Canadian track and field championships in 1995, and later that year won the 100m at the world championship. By 1996, he'd won two Olympic golds.
Since retiring from athletics in 2001, Bailey has worked as a commentator for CBC, CTV and Eurosport, served as a board advisor for several companies and supported many charitable associations.
Two generations of Olympians: Donovan Bailey posed with Professor Emeritus Bruce Kidd and U of T alumnus Bill Crothers, both of whom competed in the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo
“I talk a lot about the importance of having a good support system,” said Bailey. “It’s hard to understand the stress that being an elite athlete puts on your body, but going home to my family, I always had a soft landing.
“I could recharge for a few days and then get back to training and competitions.”
Growing up in Jamaica, Bailey says every single person that was successful looked like him, so he didn’t see himself any differently in Canada.
“I always practiced self-love because my family was always there to push me to be the best version of myself,” he said.
Taking on responsibility was another important lesson his parents taught him.
“My father was a blue-collar guy, he bought a house in a good neighbourhood and worked 12 hours a day to pay for it,” he said. “My brothers and I learned from that as kids.”
Bailey signed t-shirts and running shoes, in addition to signing copies of his memoir
Bailey also reflected on his hero growing up, boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
“I used to watch boxing with my dad. Muhammad Ali was the biggest star. How he carried himself … he spoke things into existence,” said Bailey. “From him I learned that sometimes people won’t like you if you’re your authentic self.”
That’s something Bailey had experienced on his own skin. His message to the audience, many of them current and former members of the U of T track and field community, was to understand that life is full of ups and downs.
“So, it’s important to appreciate your support system, your parents, coaches, friends … And, understand that at some point, if you want to do something, there has to be a Day One and on that day, you have to make a commitment to yourself and do the work. There are no short cuts.”
Maya Ryan, a Varsity Blues sprinter and student of mental health science at U of T spoke at the event
Maya Ryan, a Varsity Blues sprinter and student of mental health sciences at U of T, thanked Bailey for inspiring generations of athletes like herself – and her parents, both track and field alumni. Ryan, who serves as the current chair of the BIPOC Varsity Association, said Bailey’s relentless pursuit of excellence has been a great source of motivation.
“When you’re a sprinter, you have a true appreciation of how difficult it is to get a gold medal,” she said.
Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE, addressed the crowds
Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE, thanked Bailey for sharing his journey and said she was proud to be part of an institution that provides a platform for these kinds of conversations, adding all proceeds from the tickets sales for the event would go towards the Indigenous & Black Student Athlete Bursary at KPE.