Athletics in Barbados

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 worldwide, 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 hurdling, 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 programs cover all spheres of track and field, and it is held in high esteem by all international bodies, including the International Olympic Committee.

One of the highlights of the athletics program is the annual Run Barbados International Road Race Series, held in early December. This comprises a 10-kilometer race, a marathon, and several other fun races. Participants in this race have come from the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Ethiopia, Nigeria, the Caribbean countries of St. Vincent, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries worldwide.

The 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-kilometer record holder Hugh Jones and women 10-kilometer world record holder Judi St. Hilaire of the United States.