Foster-Hylton- Strength of Character

World Champion in 100m Hurdles

In all the hoopla surrounding the success of Usain Bolt at the recently concluded world athletic championships in Berlin, the achievements of Brigette Foster-Hylton have almost gone un-noticed.

However, for all the hype that surrounds Bolt and his incredible accomplishments, Brigette’s story is perhaps the better one; the one that speaks more to the strength of human character as opposed to accomplishment. Brigette has both.

In the mid 1990s when knee surgeries threatened to end a promising career that began at St Elizabeth Technical High and continued at Texas State University, no one could have blamed Brigette if she had taken a decision then and there to quit.

But she didn’t. She persevered and sought out and eventually found the coach she needed in Stephen Francis. He became her mentor, her coach, her friend. That friendship was what got her back to competing this year when after failing to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics in China in 2008, Brigette announced her retirement. Another injury had once again frustrated her efforts to prove that she could be the best in the world.

In a career that has had more ups than downs, it seemed like the right thing to do. Less than five years after Francis became her coach Brigette went into the world championships in Paris, among the favourites to win the world title. Her stock improved when overwhelming favourite American Gail Devers stumbled and fell and did not make it to the final. Now firmly favoured to take the crown Brigette was upset and upstaged by Canadian Perdita Felicien. She was forced to settle for silver. Two years later in Helsinki on a wet track American Michelle Perry won gold, Brigette was third.

For the next four years Brigette would not win any medals at any of the majors – Osaka or Beijing and last season she lost her shoe contract. Surely now, this would be the end.
But Francis urged her to come back.

This time she was not a favourite. She was not even considered a contender but she was healthy and under no pressure at all. She eased through the rounds looking more impressive each time.

This time she put it all together. All the years of injuries, surgeries and frustration were wiped away in just 12.51 seconds. Brigette Foster Hylton was finally champion of the world.

Tags: Leighton Levy