THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2000. The place: Sydney Olympic Stadium. The event: the men’s 100 metres final. The significance: a first medal for Barbados.
Obadele Thompson elevated Barbados to unprecedented heights of Olympic glory by winning a bronze medal in the marquee event of sports’ biggest show.
Blazing to the finish in 10.04 seconds, the 24-year-old was beaten to the line by gold medallist, American Maurice Greene, who clocked 9.87 seconds and Trinidadian Ato Boldon, in 9.99.
Swept up in an emotional moment of joy and relief, Thompson dropped to his knees, to thank first and foremost his God. Gratitude to his parents – watching in the stands – his family, his coaches and therapy staff would follow later.
Above, Thompson (right) basking in glory with Boldon (left) and Greene. (FP)
