Kimberly Hyacinthe

Biography

Sprinter Kimberly Hyacinthe first represented Canada at the 2005 IAAF World Youth Championships, competing in the 100m and 200m. She competed at three editions of the Summer Universiade, winning 4x400m relay gold in 2009 and 200m gold in 2013, making her the first Canadian woman to win an individual gold medal in athletics at the World University Games. After making her IAAF World Championship debut in 2011, Hyacinthe was part of the 4x100m relay at the 2013 World Championships that set a Canadian record (42.99 seconds) in finishing sixth. She then helped the 4x100m relay team finish fourth at the 2015 IAAF World Relays, where they set another Canadian record (42.85 seconds) and qualified Canada in the event for Rio 2016. At that summer’s Pan Am Games in Toronto, she was part of the 4x100m relay team that won bronze and was the top Canadian woman in the 200m with her sixth place finish. Hyacinthe and the 4x100m relay team went on to place sixth at the 2015 World Championships, lowering the national record to 42.60 seconds.

Getting to know…

Family: Mother Rochine Hyacinthe… Younger brother Djahleel… Getting into the Sport: Started running track at age 14… Had to run track and cross-country as fitness for basketball; after winning school regionals and provincials she figured she was somewhat fast and decided to pursue it… Outside Interests: Enjoys traveling, binge-watching TV series, relaxing with her family, reading, finding new recipes, doing public speaking at schools to encourage kids to stay active… Odds and Ends: Favourite motto: If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again…Buys keychains from every city she lands in for her cousin who collects them… Nickname: Kimbo Slice, Kimi…