Surin to lead Canadian athletes at '24 Olympics
Bruny Surin's mission is simple, but important.
“I want to know the athletes. I want to know the next generation. More and more I'm going to know all the athletes' stories as much as possible. I want to have the same language as the athletes. And I will tell them `I am here for you. If you have any concerns, I am here for you. You tell me what the perfect environment is for you to perform at your best in Paris. That's what I want to make sure is there.' “That's my goal.”
The four-time Olympian from Montreal was named Team Canada's chef de mission for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday. He has known about the honour for a couple of weeks, and was practically bubbling over with excitement.
“I found out I was the chosen one, I was just jumping in the air I was so happy,” said Surin. “That's something that was my goal for a long time. I really appreciate the COC knew it was something I wanted to do.”
Surin began his Olympic journey as a long jumper at Seoul 1988 but appeared as a sprinter at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, and famously won a gold medal as a member of the men's 4x100-metre relay team in 1996, along with Robert Esmie, Glenroy Gilbert and Donovan Bailey. Surin retired in 2002 as a two-time world champion in the 4x100-metre relay and two-time indoor world champ at 60 metres.
The 54-year-old runs Surin Group, Surin Clothing and the Bruny Surin Foundation, which he said has awarded bursaries worth $2 million over a 20-year period. He's also a public speaker in great demand; doing at least two gigs a week all year long.
“I always want to stay involved with athletes, I want to stay in the Olympic movement. Since my retirement, I always want to give back, because I said to myself after 18 years in athletics, it was a good experience, a bad experience and everything. So I want to help, to share with the next generation and to be part of that from now on until Paris. To me, to be part of that team is a dream come true.”
The fact that he's bilingual and has been a frequent visitor to Paris is also apropos. In fact, he's doing a corporate speaking engagement there next month.
“It couldn't be more on point. Paris is one of my favourite cities,” he said. “When I was competing, every year I was in Paris. So I know the city. Of course, I speak French. Paris is going to be huge. I'm very thankful to be part of that.”
The fact he will be chef de mission at a time when the athletics team is reaching great heights is a lovely bonus for him. He has kept abreast of the early–season performances put down by sprinters Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown and Jerome Blake, and that has him excited for the possibilities in Paris.
“Oh, man, yes. It's going to be amazing. I saw the result of Jerome in the early season. First thing I thought was oh my god, this relay team is going to be kick-ass because they're all going to be ready. I'm not worried about Andre. He's going to be ready. Aaron Brown, with all his experience. And now I see the other guys performing, everything is on point. To me, it's going to be great.”
The Tokyo relay team of Brown, Blake, De Grasse and Brendon Rodney were upgraded to silver medals from bronze after the Brits were officially sanctioned for a doping violation by one of their four team members.
“Now, anything is possible,” said Surin.
“Yes, you're going to have Jamaica and the U.S. team, but remember as long as you have this unity, each one of you has each other's backs, you trust yourselves, anything is possible. Going for gold? Why not? ”