Brendan Christian
Encyclopedia
Brendan Kyle Akeem Christian (born 11 December 1983) is a sprinter
from Antigua and Barbuda
who specializes in the 200 metres
. Born in Antigua
, he is the son of Donald Christian who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics
in Montreal
as a cyclist. His personal best 100 metres time is 10.11 seconds, achieved in May 2004 in College Station. At the time he achieved this mark, it was a national record. He is also a holder of the Antiguan and Barbudan record in 4 x 100 metres relay
with 39.90 seconds.
As a junior he won the silver medal in this event at the 2002 World Junior Championships
, where he also finished sixth in the 100 metres
race. He then competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics
, reaching the quarter-final, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games where he reached the semi-final.
In 2007 he won the 100 metres bronze medal and the 200 metres gold medal at the Pan American Games
. Shortly after, at the 2007 World Championships
, he reached the semi-finals in both events. There, he set a national record in the 200 metres of 20.23 seconds.
Christian represented Antigua and Barbuda at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing
. He competed at the 200 metres
and placed second in his first round heat after Aaron Armstrong
in a time of 20.58 seconds. He improved his time in the second round to 20.26 seconds and won his race in front of Churandy Martina
and Kristof Beyens
. He ran his semi final race in 20.29 seconds and placed fifth, failing to achieve a spot in the Olympic final.
Sprint (race)
Sprints are short running events in athletics and track and field. Races over short distances are among the oldest running competitions. The first 13 editions of the Ancient Olympic Games featured only one event—the stadion race, which was a race from one end of the stadium to the other...
from Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
who specializes in the 200 metres
200 metres
A 200 metres race is a sprint running event. On an outdoor 400 m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. A slightly shorter race, called the stadion and run on a straight track, was the first...
. Born in Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
, he is the son of Donald Christian who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
as a cyclist. His personal best 100 metres time is 10.11 seconds, achieved in May 2004 in College Station. At the time he achieved this mark, it was a national record. He is also a holder of the Antiguan and Barbudan record in 4 x 100 metres relay
4 x 100 metres relay
The 4 × 100 metres relay or sprint relay is an athletics track event run in lanes over one lap of the track with four runners completing 100 metres each. The first runners begin in the same stagger as for the individual 400 m race...
with 39.90 seconds.
As a junior he won the silver medal in this event at the 2002 World Junior Championships
2002 World Junior Championships in Athletics
The 2002 World Junior Championships in Athletics is the 2002 version of the World Junior Championships in Athletics. It was held in Kingston, Jamaica from July 16 to July 21, 2002.-Men:-Women:-Medals table:...
, where he also finished sixth in the 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
race. He then competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics - Men's 200 metres
-Qualification:The qualification period for Athletics was 1 January 2003 to 9 August 2004. For the men's 200 metres, each National Olympic Committee was permitted to enter up to three athletes that had run the race in 20.59 seconds or faster during the qualification period...
, reaching the quarter-final, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games where he reached the semi-final.
In 2007 he won the 100 metres bronze medal and the 200 metres gold medal at the Pan American Games
Athletics at the 2007 Pan American Games
The athletics competition at the 2007 Pan American Games was held at the Flamengo Park and Estádio Olímpico João Havelange in Rio de Janeiro between 22 July and 29 July 2007...
. Shortly after, at the 2007 World Championships
2007 World Championships in Athletics
The 11th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations , were held at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan from 24 August to 2 September 2007...
, he reached the semi-finals in both events. There, he set a national record in the 200 metres of 20.23 seconds.
Christian represented Antigua and Barbuda at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Antigua and Barbuda at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Antigua and Barbuda competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.- Athletics:- Swimming:-See also:* Antigua and Barbuda at the 2006 Commonwealth Games* Antigua and Barbuda at the 2007 Pan American Games...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. He competed at the 200 metres
200 metres
A 200 metres race is a sprint running event. On an outdoor 400 m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. A slightly shorter race, called the stadion and run on a straight track, was the first...
and placed second in his first round heat after Aaron Armstrong
Aaron Armstrong
Aaron Nigel Armstrong is a track and field sprint athlete who competes internationally for Trinidad and Tobago.Armstrong attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he ran for the Florida Gators track and field team in NCAA competition...
in a time of 20.58 seconds. He improved his time in the second round to 20.26 seconds and won his race in front of Churandy Martina
Churandy Martina
Churandy Martina is a sprinter from Curaçao, currently representing the Netherlands. His personal best time over 100 metres is 9.93 seconds, a national record, achieved in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games final...
and Kristof Beyens
Kristof Beyens
Kristof Beyens is a Belgian sprint athlete, specialised in the 100 and 200 metres. His personal best time over 200 metres is 20.44 s, achieved in Osaka during the World Championships....
. He ran his semi final race in 20.29 seconds and placed fifth, failing to achieve a spot in the Olympic final.