Tyrone Smith – Olympian

From a 2010 interview with Smith:

Tyrone Smith, Hist’07, says he feels kind of like Jack Bauer.

“Once I had three meets in five days, in Italy, the UK and Germany,” he says. “Then I was back to the U.S.A. It was exhausting.”

He wouldn’t change a thing though. “I get to entertain people while doing what I love,” he says. “Nothing is more exciting than the crowd going crazy when you hit a personal best or sneak up and steal a victory.”

Smith also enjoys the travel his track and field career affords. “I have the opportunity to travel the world for free,” he says. “I’ve been to more countries than some people have been to states.”

The long jumper moved to the United States from Bermuda when he was 4. He competed in the 2008 World Indoor Championships and placed 15th in the 2008 Olympic Games. He also held the national record in Bermuda.

Smith earned a gold medal and had his personal best jump at the Central America and Caribbean Games held in Puerto Rico in July 2010.

“Right now I’m probably 13th or 14th best in the world, but that’s always changing.”

Smith was honored to be chosen to compete in the International Association of Athletics Foundation (IAAF)/VTB Bank Continental Cup which was held in Croatia in September 2010. Four continental teams competed in the event — Americas, Africa, Asia/Pacific and Europe. Each team is allowed two or three athletes to compete in each individual event.

“I was picked for the Americas team,” Smith says. “I’m happy to represent both Bermuda and the U.S.A.”

Smith has competed three times at the Summer Olympics – in 2008, 2012 and 2016. The Bermudian athlete competed in the men’s long jump during the track and field events. At the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016, he was the flag bearer for his country at the Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony.