Remembering Daundre Barnaby
Remembering Daundre Barnaby
Last Friday, Canadian sprinter Daundre Barnaby passed away in a tragic swimming accident during a national team training camp, and the news has since sent shock waves throughout the running community worldwide.
“We’re getting quite a bit of support and it’s been greatly appreciated….it’s been a really unifying time,” said Fawn Dorr, Barnaby’s teammate on the national team.
Barnaby drowned while swimming in the ocean off the coast of St. Kitts on an off-day during training camp. He was dragged underneath the waves by an undertow. Barnaby's body was discovered hours after his disappearance.
He was 24 years old.
He was 24 years old.
Barnaby competed for Mississippi State where he earned All American honors in both the 400m and as a member of the 4x400m relay before earning a spot on the Canadian national team. Barnaby competed for Canada at the 2012 Olympics in London where he finished sixth in heat two of the preliminaries, clocking 46.04. He held a personal best of 45.47, which he earned in 2013 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
As Dorr and his coach Anthony McCleary recount, Barnaby was much more than an All American and Olympian.
“Outside of being a great athlete, he was just a good guy,” said Dorr.
“He had a way of encouraging people and inspiring people with just a few words,” said Dorr. “It was almost like negative thoughts were confusing to him [laughs].”
“Track and field was his life, he would never miss a practice no matter what,” said McCleary. “We’re in Canada so it snows, and he didn’t care, he would make it. He would complain about the weather but he would show up on time.”
“He’s the guy that would be there cheering you on,” said McCleary. “He wanted people to know that he was behind them.”
“A year out of Rio, his attitude was completely different. He knew what he was going to do, he never set a time, he just said I’m going to run fast,” said McCleary.
“Watching him run was amazing, he had the longest legs and his gate was so…he just made it look so fluid and easy,” said Dorr.
“He only thought about being a champion, and I firmly believe that he would’ve been,” said Dorr.
Running Community Tributes
Extremely saddened by the news of Daundre Barnaby's drowning today.Thoughts to his family, friends & the entire Canadian athletics community
— Steven Solomon (@stevesolo10) March 28, 2015
I don't know what to say... Heaven gained an angel. Daundre Barnaby will be missed. RIP. pic.twitter.com/ofjieMmKZq
— Sarah Wells (@SarahWells400mh) March 27, 2015
Daundre Barnaby was not only one of the nicest guys I've ever met, but also one of the best runners I've ever watched. Way too young. RIP
— Forrest Misenti (@FORRE5T) March 27, 2015
“Sad and profound loss, Daundre was an outstanding athlete and an even better young man…" http://t.co/GY93eGINZ6 pic.twitter.com/Lwu5iV5O7h
— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) March 27, 2015
FloTrack Remembers
In Feb. 2009, Barnaby earned Tasty Race of the Week after taking down now-Brooks Beast Cas Loxsom in the 600m at the Connecticut Indoor State Championship with a state and meet record-mark of 1:20.65.