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 | 4x100 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 (born July 5, 1972) is a retired Canadian sprinter. He was a key member of the Canadian 4 × 100 meter relay team. This team won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Contents
Who is Robert Esmie?
Robert Esmie was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. He became a very fast runner, known as a sprinter.
Joining the Dream Team
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 from 1994 to 1999.
Early Achievements in Athletics
Robert Esmie showed his talent early on. 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. The next year, at the 1995 World Indoor Championships, he won a bronze medal in the 60 meter race. He also earned a gold medal with the Canadian 4 × 100 meter relay team at the 1995 World Championships.
Winning Olympic Gold
The Atlanta Olympics in 1996 were a big moment. The Canadian men's 4×100 relay team had won many races before. Still, they were not the top favorites for the gold medal.
The Big Race in Atlanta
The United States team believed they would win. But in the 4×100 relay final, the Canadian team ran an amazing race. They beat the United States team by almost half a second. They won the gold medal and set a new national record!
A Last-Minute Change
Robert Esmie was not originally supposed to run in the Olympic relay final. However, a teammate, Carlton Chambers, got an injury. So, the night before the race, Robert Esmie stepped in. He helped the team achieve their historic win.
After the Olympics
After their Olympic victory, Robert Esmie and the Canadian team continued to succeed. They won another gold medal at the 1997 World Championships. They achieved this from lane 8, which is often a challenging starting position.
Sadly, Robert Esmie's Olympic gold medal was later stolen.
Honored for His Achievements
In 2008, Robert Esmie was recognized for his contributions to sports. He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. This honor was given to him as part of the incredible 1996 Summer Olympics 4×100 relay team.
What He Does Now
Today, Robert Esmie runs a program called AirBlastoff Sports. It is an athletic training program that helps young athletes.
See also
In Spanish: Robert Esmie para niños
