Robert Esmie facts for kids
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing  Canada |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1996 Atlanta | 4 × 100 m relay |
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 1995 Gothenburg | 4 × 100 m relay |
| Gold | 1997 Athens | 4 × 100 m relay |
| Bronze | 1993 Stuttgart | 4 × 100 m relay |
| World Indoor Championships | ||
| Bronze | 1995 Barcelona | 60 m |
Robert Esmie is a famous Canadian sprinter. He was born on July 5, 1972. Robert was a key member of the Canadian 4 × 100 meter relay team. This team won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Contents
Robert Esmie: A Sprinting Star
Robert Esmie was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He became a very fast runner, known as a sprinter.
Early Life and Team Canada
In the mid-1990s, Robert Esmie joined a special 4 × 100 meter relay team. His teammates were Glenroy Gilbert, Bruny Surin, and Donovan Bailey. This team was the best in the world for many years. They were ranked number one from 1994 to 1999.
World Championships Success
Robert Esmie had many successes before the Olympics.
- At the 1993 World Championships, he finished seventh in the 100 meter semi-final. He also helped his team win a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 meter relay.
- In 1994, he competed in the 100 meters at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
- At the 1995 World Indoor Championships, Robert won a bronze medal in the 60 meter race.
- Later in 1995, he was part of the Canadian 4 × 100 meter relay team. They won a gold medal at the 1995 World Championships.
Olympic Gold in Atlanta
The Canadian men's 4 × 100 meter relay team went to the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Even though they had won many big races before, they were not expected to win. The United States team thought they would win easily.
However, in the final race, the Canadian team ran incredibly fast. They beat the United States team by almost half a second. They set a new national record and won the gold medal! Robert Esmie was not originally planned to run in this race. But a teammate got injured, and Robert stepped in the night before. This change helped the team win their amazing gold medal.
Sadly, Robert Esmie's gold medal was later stolen.
Continuing His Legacy
Robert Esmie and the Canadian team continued their winning streak. They won another gold medal at the 1997 World Championships. They achieved this from lane 8, which is often a difficult lane to win from.
Hall of Fame
In 2008, Robert Esmie was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. This was for his part in the incredible 1996 Summer Olympics 4 × 100 meter relay team.
AirBlastoff Sports
Today, Robert Esmie helps young athletes. He runs a program called AirBlastoff Sports. This program focuses on athletic training.
See also
In Spanish: Robert Esmie para niños
