Donovan Bailey entered a race on a whim. It led to Olympic stardom
It was 1990, and Donovan Bailey was doing well for himself. But the Jamaican Canadian had a nagging desire to race. So when he went to see some friends who were in town for a track competition, he decided to compete — and he won.
![Donovan Bailey entered a race on a whim. It led to Olympic stardom](https://i.cbc.ca/1.3697347.1698357880!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/donovan-bailey.jpg)
![Twenty years ago Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey broke the world record in the 100 metres at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. A man yells in excitement after crossing the finish line.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.3697347.1698357880!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/donovan-bailey.jpg)
It was 1990, and Donovan Bailey was doing well for himself. But the Jamaican Canadian had a nagging desire to race. So when he went to see some friends who were in town for a track competition, he decided to compete — and he won.