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. 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. The perpetrator, who later committed suicide, was found to have used cocaine prior to the shooting. About 400 people attended the funeral.

At the time he was killed, Brathwaite was training for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Legacy In 2014, the Oregon Track Club established the Chris Brathwaite award. Brathwaite's son Sean became a police officer, serving the Eugene Police Department and the University of Oregon Police Department.

International competitions