Christopher Brathwaite
Christopher Anthony Brathwaite (August 12, 1948 – November 12, 1984) was an athlete from Trinidad and Tobago who specialized in the 100 and 200 metres.
He was born in Maraval, Trinidad and attended Eastern New Mexico University, Spokane Community College and University of Oregon (UO). He graduated from the UO with a BA and MA in sociology. He was the Trinidad and Tobago 100/200 metres champion in 1978, and he won these titles again in 1983.
He competed in two Olympic Games, where he reached the semi-final of the 100 metres at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the quarter-final of the 200 metres.[1] He also competed at the inaugural World Championships in Helsinki.
Brathwaite was killed on November 12, 1984, when he was shot while running on Pre's Trail near Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.[2][3] The perpetrator, who later committed suicide, was found to have used cocaine prior to the shooting. About 400 people attended the funeral.[4]
At the time he was killed, Brathwaite was training for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.[5]
Legacy
In 2014, the Oregon Track Club established the Chris Brathwaite award.[5] Brathwaite's son Sean became a police officer, serving the Eugene Police Department and the University of Oregon Police Department.[5]
International competitions
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Central American and Caribbean Games | Panama City, Panama | 5th | 4 × 100 m relay | ||
| 1975 | Pan American Games | Mexico City, Mexico | 5th | 4 × 100 m relay | ||
| 1978 | Commonwealth Games | Edmonton, Canada | 7th | 100 m | ||
| 2nd | 4 × 100 m relay | |||||
| 1982 | Central American and Caribbean Games | Havana, Cuba | 4th | 100 m | ||
| 1983 | Pan American Games | Caracas, Venezuela | 5th | 4 × 100 m relay |
See also
References
- ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Christopher Brathwaite Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ "Sniper at Oregon university slays ex-Olympic sprinter." New York Times 13 Nov. 1984: A20. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
- ^ Associated Press (November 13, 1984). "World-Class Sprinter Dies in Bizarre Shooting". Albany Democrat-Herald – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Olympic runner killed by sniper remembered". United Press International. November 17, 1984. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ a b c Baker, Mark (November 11, 2014). "Slain Runner's Son Found Peace". Register-Guard. Retrieved April 23, 2025.