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Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2013.55.106 B |
Object Name |
Video Recording |
Title |
Robert Esmie Interview |
Scope & Content |
Robert Esmie interview, 15 September 2008. Digitized MP4 from Sony 40 Advanced ME DVCAM. Two videos with a total viewing time of 00:57:00. 1 of 2; 01:53Childhood: born in Jamaica, came to Canada in 1984 to Sudbury Ontario, dad worked for INCO and mother a nurse; now lives in Vancouver 04:39How did you get into running in Jamaica: lived with his grandparents on a farm, would run to school which was about 1 mile away in about 2 minutes, developed natural biomechanics, part of the culture, along with food and attitude 06:46Sprinters hate doing distance work but in the beginning have to do it to develop endurance 07:15On competitive running: had a dream after watching the 1988 Olympic Games, fascinated by the speed aspect, felt like the wind was knocked out of him after the drug incident, decided then he wanted to be a sprinter and restore Canada`s pride; made a deal with his mother that he could compete if he kept his marks up and helped raised money to train; won bronze medal at Ontario meet, talks about a race against Carl Lewis and coming in second ``That`s when the dream came alive`` 10:28On the 1996 relay team: there was a difference in age, culture, competitiveness, role of the media taking things out of context; they were all competitors except for 2 weeks when they were teammates, talks about how everyone competes for the top 3 spots on the team and he was the kid, they were amongst the best in the world and did not want to lose; personally he wanted to see them like brothers, needed to find a balance among all of them; Ben Johnson was his childhood hero, he did the wrong thing but he helped young athletes; the good things he does now is because of those helping hands along the way; they tried to keep him off the team because he did not train with them, not part of their family in a sense; his coach told him to train as if he was going to race, they both believed he would be in the final, he believes preparation means opportunity equals success, ``if you are not prepared and that opportunity happens you will not get at success``; when the team was falling apart and said they wanted him on the team he did not let his ego get in the way, he had not made the individual 100 but when he made the relay team thought ``I`m coming home with a Gold medal``, talked to his team mates about having one common goal in the Gold medal, ``you have to start something and when it`s in motion it wants to stay in motion``, `felt he had to run the best relay leg to contribute that speed aspect into the relay, had to think outside the box, had to deal with wind, noise, people all around him to be that clear, that precise to hand off the baton, talks about the relay and knew they had the Gold medal, just stay focused in the moment, ``as long as you have one common goal you can work together`` , now that they are retired the relationship is a lot better but feels they need to enjoy themselves as friends 18:01The competitiveness off the field is done, why are we not communicating more 19:00On the team falling apart: the relay is designed so you have to run the Canadian and Olympic standard twice to achieve the top spots, other considerations on the makeup of the team are other athletes who run other events or distances, he competed in the last week before the Olympics and earned a spot on the relay team, the politics of the team trying to keep him out because they felt they were a team with Carleton Chambers, when Carleton was injured both Bruny and Glenroy wanted him in the final, he did not let that stuff bother him, stayed focused to get his dream and his Gold medal, they all played a fantastic role and it all came together for all of them 22:24Was it because you were a young guy that you were a loose cannon: admits he is a competitor and works hard and enjoys the crowd, ``my job is to have fun in the moment and have fun with the crowd because they have come to see me race`, enjoy the process, got to be loose to run fast, didn`t care about coming up through the ranks, was going to be competitive 24:47Talk about the mental process of the race: he had a dream about his father, who died and his grandmother; talks about his pre-race preparation, got his head shaved to help his relay team mates have fun by laughing, talks about how he felt his Dad was there in the stadium, he locked off everything so he could hear the starter in the blocks, talks about the race, the greatest moment because he had such a plan, such a dream as a young child, he had proven you can do it drug-free, with hard work and great family support, many obstacles to overcome, part of his contributions to that team came to that success, dreams can come true 37:16On the emotion after the race: could not celebrate until he got Carleton out of the stands, he helped contribute to get the team to the finals, it`s respect to get him and do a lap with us, be part of it, ``to me that what it is about, sharing the Olympic spirit and enjoying it`` 36:53Are you happy where you ended up: content, at peace although he did not get a world record; had 3 goals - Gold medal, World Record (maybe he can still get one at the Masters) and now to be one of the best businessmen; the first 25 years are for me and admits it is selfish but the next 25 years is to give back to society, passing on the knowledge of everything learned and taught, wants to give back in different ways, through his company, charity work and other ways to give back and contribute to a legacy 37:36Were you and your team the best relay team: would like to see Jamaica and Canada win again, wants to see Canadians give back to the athletes in terms of funding, feels the country has let them down 2 of 2; 00:38Define speed: the technical definition is covering a certain distance in the least amount of time; how do you develop it - starts in the weight room, quickness is reaction, understand the biomechanics of any sport, condition and technique and you will get speed, handle speed with intelligence 04:11Introduction to Hall 05:46What did Donovan say about your hair: `Relay Blast Off`` shaved on his head, he laughed and called him a clown, knew they were mentally where they needed to be, to have fun, the hard work, preparation, business was done off the track, on the track it was the time to showcase, have fun with the people and enjoy the fruits of their labour 07:33Greatest memory: 1993 when the dream started for the relay team, it was the purity of the relay, wanted this more than we wanted anything and we wanted to have fun doing it and we did; after that it was the 1996 Olympics 08:05Role models: as an athlete Ben Johnson and off the track his mother; she is strong, driven, passionate, she`s got love, he got a lot of those attributes from her; Ben Johnson because of his unselfishness, the way he helps others and his run, playfulness when he is on the track 08:32Why play sport: healthy body is a healthy mind, overall keeps you alert, keeps you away from trouble and is a fun thing to do, sports is fun 08:52What did sports teach you: discipline, work together as a team, to overcome obstacles, how to plan and how to be successful 09:02How id sports affect your life: met wonderful people around the world, put me in situations to create opportunities businesswise and teach and confirm a lot of values he had growing up 09:22What makes you a winner: will, passion, desire to work hard, ability to get back up again after you fall and to go back after your dreams 09:50Define success: not about wealth; about your contribution on earth, giving back at the end of the day, defined by what you were taught and your values 10:22Who is the best leader you have ever encountered: Mike Murray and Charmaine Crooks; Mike has given back constantly, worked on the team work aspect to get Canada back to the podium 11:27Advise to kids: preparation, confidence, be prepared to show up and be in the game 12:02Fun moment: Usain Bolt`s world record of 9.69; had made a poster when a child with that time; brought joy, passion, fire to him 14:25Thanks the Hall for being inducted |
Date |
2008/09/15 |
People |
Esmie, Robert Johnson, Ben Gilbert, Glenroy Bailey, Donovan Surin, Bruny Chambers, Carleton |
Search Terms |
4x100 m relay Track Robert Esmie World Championships 1996 Olympic Games Atlanta |