Gavin Smellie
Smellie at the 2019 ISTAF in Berlin | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gavin Ramon Smellie |
| Born | June 26, 1986 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Home town | Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 80 kg (176 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country | Canada |
| Sport | Track and field |
Event | Sprints |
| College team | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers |
Medal record | |
Gavin Ramon Smellie (born June 26, 1986) is a Jamaican-Canadian sprinter. A two-time Olympian, he competed for Canada in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, and in the men's 100 metres at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Early life
Smellie was born on June 26, 1986, in the Papine neighbourhood of Kingston, Jamaica.[1] He moved to Canada with his family in 2001 at the age of 14, settling in the Weston and Albion roads area of Etobicoke, Ontario. During his youth, Smellie played soccer as a striker. He initially attended George Harvey Collegiate Institute before transferring to Dante Alighieri Academy, where he began running and completed his high school education.[2][3][4]
College career
Smellie attended Western Kentucky University on an athletic scholarship, graduating in 2010 with a degree in business.[1][5] He represented the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in NCAA Division I indoor and outdoor track and field competitions.[6]
Professional career
Smellie represented Canada at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, competing in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay alongside Oluseyi Smith, Jared Connaughton, and Justyn Warner. The Canadian team finished third in the final with a time of 38.07 seconds and initially appeared set to claim the bronze medal, but officials disqualified them after determining that third leg runner Connaughton had stepped on the lane line during the baton exchange. Trinidad and Tobago received the bronze medal as a result.[7][8]
In 2021, Smellie represented Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, competing in the men's 100 metres. He finished eighth in his heat (51st overall) with a time of 10.44 seconds and did not advance.[4][9]
Personal life
Smellie is married to his wife, Sandy, and they have two daughters, Sydney and Naomi.[3][4]
Personal bests
| Event | Time | Wind | Venue | Date | Results Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 metres | 10.01 | +1.4 | Windsor, ON (CAN) | May 19, 2018 | 1203 |
| 100 metres | 9.97 * | +5.1 | Clermont, FL (USA) | April 15, 2017 | 1187 |
| 200 metres | 20.38 | +1.6 | Windsor, ON (CAN) | June 18, 2017 | 1161 |
| 200 metres | 20.16 * | +2.7 | Clermont, FL (USA) | May 16, 2015 | 1179 |
| 400 metres | 46.94 | Toronto, ON (CAN) | June 17, 2007 | 1049 | |
| 4 × 100 metres relay | 37.91 | Khalifa International Stadium, Doha (QAT) | October 4, 2019 | 1233 | |
| 4 × 200 metres relay | 1:19.20 | Gainesville, FL (USA) | April 2, 2016 | 1249 | |
| 4 × 400 metres relay | 3:09.18 | Philadelphia, PA (USA) | April 23, 2010 | 1054 |
References
- ^ a b "Gavin Smellie". Team Canada. Canadian Olympic Committee. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
- ^ Reason, Cynthia (August 5, 2014). "Botched baton hand-off ends podium dreams at Commonwealth Games for Etobicoke sprinter Gavin Smellie". Toronto.com. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Sanders, Aaron (May 4, 2021). "Black Excellence in Sport: Gavin Smellie". Canadian Sport Institute Ontario. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Athletics SMELLIE Gavin - Tokyo 2020 Olympics". Olympics.com. International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
- ^ Juzenas, Frank (July 13, 2012). "Smellie named to Olympic relay team". YorkRegion.com. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ "Former Hilltopper Gavin Smellie To Represent Canada In 2012 Olympics". Western Kentucky University Athletics. March 7, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ Smith, Doug (August 11, 2012). "London 2012: Canada disqualified in men's 4x100 relay". Toronto Star. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ "London 2012 - Event Report - Men's 4x100m Final". World Athletics. August 11, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ "Canadian sprinter De Grasse cruises into 100 semifinal with season's best time". CTV News. The Canadian Press. July 31, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
External links
- Gavin Smellie at World Athletics
- Gavin Smellie at Athletics Canada
- Gavin Smellie at Team Canada
- Gavin Smellie at the Commonwealth Games Federation (archived)
- Gavin Smellie at Olympics.com
- Gavin Smellie at Olympedia