Sprinter Obadele Thompson, put Barbados on the Athletics map when he won the bronze medal in the men’s 100 meters at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. This world-class athlete has not only been hailed for his prowess on the track but also because of his Christian lifestyle.
Thompson’s name is well respected around the world, and although he has not scored a major victory recently he continues to perform well against the best sprinters.
Barbados has another world-class athlete in 400 Meters hurdler Andrea Blackett. She won gold at the 1998 Commonwealth games and has competed consistently at the international level. She holds the Commonwealth Games 400 meters hurdles record.
The Amateur Athletics Association is the organizing body for athletics in Barbados. Its programmes cover all spheres of track and field, and it is held in high esteem by all of the international bodies, including the International Olympic Committee.
One of the highlights of the athletics programme is the annual Run Barbados International Road Race Series, held in early December. This comprises a 10-kilometre race, a marathon, and several other fun races. Participants in this race have come from the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Ethiopia, Nigeria and the Caribbean countries of St. Vincent, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago and other countries around the world.
The list of winners of the Run Barbados series include 1984 Olympic Marathon silver medallist John Tracey of Ireland, two-time Boston Marathon winner Geoff Smith, world 10-kilometre record holder Hugh Jones and women’s 10 kilometre world record holder Judi St. Hilaire of the United States.
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