The glory and the grudges: Donovan Bailey's 'Undisputed' autobiography

Undisputed

by Donovan Bailey

Sprinters are famously self-assured athletes. When one-hundredth of a second separates the greats from the also-rans, confidence is critical.

Donovan Bailey is a sprinter, through and through. From his idyllic childhood in Jamaica through his Oakville, Ont., teen years, and onto the globe-spanning racing career, Bailey's autobiography reveals a man whose confidence is matched only by his ability to win the most important races in the world.

Bailey establishes his concerns in the prologue. Race and racism, self-worth, unease with many coaches, colleagues and decision makers in Canadian athletics, these are the themes that propel Bailey's narrative.

His early years in Manchester, Jamaica are sweetly described. At the age of 11, the unabashed momma's boy makes the permanent move to live with his dad in Canada. George Bailey has already established the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, Ont. Its gatherings strengthen the business and personal networks of Caribbean expats. The Baileys of Oakville have their financial house in order.

Bailey is preceded in Canada by one of his three older brothers. At 14, O'Neil Bailey is a high school sports superstar. His success eases Donovan's entrée into athletics. Bailey frankly idolizes older, confident black men. Muhammad Ali is his lodestar.

He adores basketball, plays as much as he can, but despite a terrific vertical jump, Bailey's sport is obviously track. The running wins come quickly. Regional youth records that O'Neil once held are ceded to younger brother Donovan.

American Colleges come calling when Bailey is 17. His father forbids him from taking a scholarship, until he has time to mature. Bailey isn't happy about it, but rebellion is