Christopher Brathwaite

For the Barbadian trade unionist, see Chris Braithwaite.

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 East New Mexico University, Spokane Community College and University of Oregon, from where he graduated with a BA and MA in sociology. He was 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.

Chris Brathwaite died on November 12, 1984, having received gunshot wounds from sniper fire while running in Eugene, Oregon.[2] The perpetrator, who later committed suicide, was found to have used cocaine prior to the shooting. About 400 people attended the funeral.[3]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Sniper at Oregon university slays ex-Olympic sprinter." New York Times 13 Nov. 1984: A20. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 12 Oct. 2010.
  3. ^ "Olympic runner killed by sniper remembered". United Press International. November 17, 1984. Retrieved 24 April 2021.