Carl Oliver

Androsian, Carl Oliver comes from a mighty long way

A little boy from Andros dreamed of one day being a star track and field athlete.But whenever he ran, he always finished last, and was overlooked for teams.Not one to be easily discouraged, he persevered and trained.

Today Carl Oliver has a World Championship silver medal.

But that road was not an easy one for the youngster who grew up in Mastic Point, North Andros.

He can vividly remember the days he competed in inter-house meets, trying out for the school's team for the opportunity to compete against kids from other schools, and finishing last time after time.And having to watch from the sidelines while his friends competed.
...
In the 10th grade, Oliver met coach Vogel Williams, a person he describes as extremely tough and who required discipline from him and worked him hard.

But Oliver still wasn't up to par, and was left off a team that Williams picked to travel to New Providence to try out for the country's Carifta team.Because according to Oliver, Williams didn't think he would be competitive even though he had won his 400 metre race.

The year was 1984.And he remembers going to a music class where everyone commiserated with him for not making the team, but promised to speak with coach Williams to allow him on the squad.Williams relented and Oliver was on the squad.

He came to Nassau, didn't finish last, but didn't make the Carifta team either.

Oliver, a member of the men's 4 x 400 metre silver medal squad from the Edmonton, Canada, World Championships has never been on any junior national track and field team.

After graduating high school he quit track, pursued his studies at Prospect Hall Junior College, Hollywood, Florida where he obtained an associate degree in computer business administration.He returned home and obtained employment with the Ministry of Finance.

And it took another two years before he thought of running track again.And it really wasn't because of a desire to run, but rather as a means to completing his education.In 1991, then a student at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, in Wisconsin, matriculating towards a bachelor's degree in economics, he found himself short of funds.

Through mediators he found himself invited to a try-out for the school's track team by the coach, who told him he would have to run 50.00 seconds over 400 metres to walk on.

"Here it was I hadn't run for four years, and to ask someone to run 50.00 was a tremendous burden to try to achieve," he recalls.But he went out, ran and was way off, running around 55.

The coach told him that he would give him another chance, but in one week, and warned Oliver that it would be cold when he tried again.

The second time he was successful.He doesn't remember what he did in that week, but said he thinks he ran for the first 100 metres, and the Lord probably ran the rest.

Competing in the NAIA conference, which wasn't too competitive he excelled, graduating in 1994 with seven All-American honours over 400 metres and 600-yards.

Just prior to graduating he competed in the conference nationals in California and ran a 46.8, a time good enough to be considered to the Bahamian national team to the Commonwealth Games that year.

The little boy from Andros didn't know any of the personnel in track's governing body in the country, but his sister who worked with one of them, spoke about her brother and was told that he should send his time in to the association, which he did and he made the squad.

The little boy from Andros, didn't even come to Nassau to compete in any trials.He knew none of the New Providence-based athletes or coaches and of course nobody knew him either.

And in his first meet representing the country, he didn't compete well.He did not get past the quarter-finals.No fairy tale start or ending there!

"I think I was just pleased to be there," said Oliver of his first meet.It was there that he met the then Eldece Clarke, and her soon to be husband Iram Lewis and they told him that when he returned to The Bahamas he should join up with the Tigers club.And he took them up on their suggestion under the coaching of Sidney Cartwright.

Fresh off the collegiate scene and all the amenities that colleges offer to their athletes, Oliver said that the most difficult thing returning home was having to pay for everything himself.But he continued to train, after a deal was worked out with Iron Man Gym which allowed him to use their facilities at a reduced rate.

"I was pleased and willing to work in any environment I was faced with" said the Andros native who found training in New Providence interesting, but not too difficult.

In school most of his season had been done indoors.Coming to New Providence he found himself training at Fort Charlotte and at the beach, which he credits with improving his strength and time.But he found adjusting to the stifling heat difficult.

...
Oliver then made the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games team, running both a relay and an individual quarter, due to the good times he ran that year.But at the Olympics he didn't get past the heats in his individual event.

"It was just frightening to go out into the stadium and to see all of those people," he remembered.

...
Oliver didn't run the early heats due to food poisoning and was rested until the final.And when the time came for him to run he was told he would have to run the first leg, which he objected to.

"I'm not a strong first leg runner and I expressed that to Sidney Cartwright who was the coach, but he didn't listen to me," he remembered."He gave me an ultimatum that I either run the first leg or not at all.And I really wanted to run and did."The team finished seventh in another national record time of 3:02.71.

"I felt that I was one of the reasons why the team didn't perform better than seventh place.And it was very disappointing to me.

Androsian, Carl Oliver comes from a mighty long way

A little boy from Andros dreamed of one day being a star track and field athlete.But whenever he ran, he always finished last, and was overlooked for teams.Not one to be easily discouraged, he persevered and trained.

Today Carl Oliver has a World Championship silver medal.

But that road was not an easy one for the youngster who grew up in Mastic Point, North Andros.

He can vividly remember the days he competed in inter-house meets, trying out for the school's team for the opportunity to compete against kids from other schools, and finishing last time after time.And having to watch from the sidelines while his friends competed.
...
In the 10th grade, Oliver met coach Vogel Williams, a person he describes as extremely tough and who required discipline from him and worked him hard.

But Oliver still wasn't up to par, and was left off a team that Williams picked to travel to New Providence to try out for the country's Carifta team.Because according to Oliver, Williams didn't think he would be competitive even though he had won his 400 metre race.

The year was 1984.And he remembers going to a music class where everyone commiserated with him for not making the team, but promised to speak with coach Williams to allow him on the squad.Williams relented and Oliver was on the squad.

He came to Nassau, didn't finish last, but didn't make the Carifta team either.

Oliver, a member of the men's 4 x 400 metre silver medal squad from the Edmonton, Canada, World Championships has never been on any junior national track and field team.

After graduating high school he quit track, pursued his studies at Prospect Hall Junior College, Hollywood, Florida where he obtained an associate degree in computer business administration.He returned home and obtained employment with the Ministry of Finance.

And it took another two years before he thought of running track again.And it really wasn't because of a desire to run, but rather as a means to completing his education.In 1991, then a student at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, in Wisconsin, matriculating towards a bachelor's degree in economics, he found himself short of funds.

Through mediators he found himself invited to a try-out for the school's track team by the coach, who told him he would have to run 50.00 seconds over 400 metres to walk on.

"Here it was I hadn't run for four years, and to ask someone to run 50.00 was a tremendous burden to try to achieve," he recalls.But he went out, ran and was way off, running around 55.

The coach told him that he would give him another chance, but in one week, and warned Oliver that it would be cold when he tried again.

The second time he was successful.He doesn't remember what he did in that week, but said he thinks he ran for the first 100 metres, and the Lord probably ran the rest.

Competing in the NAIA conference, which wasn't too competitive he excelled, graduating in 1994 with seven All-American honours over 400 metres and 600-yards.

Just prior to graduating he competed in the conference nationals in California and ran a 46.8, a time good enough to be considered to the Bahamian national team to the Commonwealth Games that year.

The little boy from Andros didn't know any of the personnel in track's governing body in the country, but his sister who worked with one of them, spoke about her brother and was told that he should send his time in to the association, which he did and he made the squad.

The little boy from Andros, didn't even come to Nassau to compete in any trials.He knew none of the New Providence-based athletes or coaches and of course nobody knew him either.

And in his first meet representing the country, he didn't compete well.He did not get past the quarter-finals.No fairy tale start or ending there!

"I think I was just pleased to be there," said Oliver of his first meet.It was there that he met the then Eldece Clarke, and her soon to be husband Iram Lewis and they told him that when he returned to The Bahamas he should join up with the Tigers club.And he took them up on their suggestion under the coaching of Sidney Cartwright.

Fresh off the collegiate scene and all the amenities that colleges offer to their athletes, Oliver said that the most difficult thing returning home was having to pay for everything himself.But he continued to train, after a deal was worked out with Iron Man Gym which allowed him to use their facilities at a reduced rate.

"I was pleased and willing to work in any environment I was faced with" said the Andros native who found training in New Providence interesting, but not too difficult.

In school most of his season had been done indoors.Coming to New Providence he found himself training at Fort Charlotte and at the beach, which he credits with improving his strength and time.But he found adjusting to the stifling heat difficult.

Motivating him through the rough period of adjustment he said was being around persons like Iram and Eldece, fellow relay team member Tim Munnings and coach Cartwright, who he said all spoke about winning a medal at the World level.And he pressed on.

After the disappointing showing at the Commonwealth Games he didn't make the Pan Am team in 1995.But he persevered, making the Goteborg World Championships team that year.

He along with Troy McIntosh, Dennis Darling and Munnings ran sixth in the semi-finals in 3 minutes and 2.85 seconds.It wasn't good enough to take them through to the final.

Oliver then made the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games team, running both a relay and an individual quarter, due to the good times he ran that year.But at the Olympics he didn't get past the heats in his individual event.

"It was just frightening to go out into the stadium and to see all of those people," he remembered.

...
Oliver didn't run the early heats due to food poisoning and was rested until the final.And when the time came for him to run he was told he would have to run the first leg, which he objected to.

"I'm not a strong first leg runner and I expressed that to Sidney Cartwright who was the coach, but he didn't listen to me," he remembered."He gave me an ultimatum that I either run the first leg or not at all.And I really wanted to run and did."The team finished seventh in another national record time of 3:02.71.

"I felt that I was one of the reasons why the team didn't perform better than seventh place.And it was very disappointing to me.

Androsian , Carl Oliver comes from a mighty long way.

A little boy from Andros dreamed of one day being a star track and field athlete.But whenever he ran , he always finished last , and was overlooked for teams.Not one to be easily discouraged , he persevered and trained.

Today Carl Oliver has a World Championship silver medal.

But that road was not an easy one for the youngster who grew up in Mastic Point , North Andros.

He can vividly remember the days he competed in inter-house meets , trying out for the school's team for the opportunity to compete against kids from other schools , and finishing last time after time.And having to watch from the sidelines while his friends competed.
...
In the 10th grade , Oliver met coach Vogel Williams , a person he describes as extremely tough and who required discipline from him and worked him hard.

But Oliver still wasn't up to par , and was left off a team that Williams picked to travel to New Providence to try out for the country's Carifta team.Because according to Oliver , Williams didn't think he would be competitive even though he had won his 400 metre race.

The year was 1984.And he remembers going to a music class where everyone commiserated with him for not making the team , but promised to speak with coach Williams to allow him on the squad.Williams relented and Oliver was on the squad.

He came to Nassau , didn't finish last , but didn't make the Carifta team either.

Oliver , a member of the men's 4 x 400 metre silver medal squad from the Edmonton , Canada , World Championships has never been on any junior national track and field team.

After graduating high school he quit track , pursued his studies at Prospect Hall Junior College , Hollywood , Florida where he obtained an associate degree in computer business administration.He returned home and obtained employment with the Ministry of Finance.

And it took another two years before he thought of running track again.And it really wasn't because of a desire to run , but rather as a means to completing his education.In 1991 , then a student at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside , in Wisconsin , matriculating towards a bachelor's degree in economics , he found himself short of funds.

Through mediators he found himself invited to a try-out for the school's track team by the coach , who told him he would have to run 50.00 seconds over 400 metres to walk on.

Here it was I hadn't run for four years , and to ask someone to run 50.00 was a tremendous burden to try to achieve , he recalls.But he went out , ran and was way off , running around 55.

The coach told him that he would give him another chance , but in one week , and warned Oliver that it would be cold when he tried again.

The second time he was successful.He doesn't remember what he did in that week , but said he thinks he ran for the first 100 metres , and the Lord probably ran the rest.

Competing in the NAIA conference , which wasn't too competitive he excelled , graduating in 1994 with seven All-American honours over 400 metres and 600-yards.

Just prior to graduating he competed in the conference nationals in California and ran a 46.8 , a time good enough to be considered to the Bahamian national team to the Commonwealth Games that year.

The little boy from Andros didn't know any of the personnel in track's governing body in the country , but his sister who worked with one of them , spoke about her brother and was told that he should send his time in to the association , which he did and he made the squad.

The little boy from Andros , didn't even come to Nassau to compete in any trials.He knew none of the New Providence-based athletes or coaches and of course nobody knew him either.

And in his first meet representing the country , he didn't compete well.He did not get past the quarter-finals.No fairy tale start or ending there.

I think I was just pleased to be there , said Oliver of his first meet.It was there that he met the then Eldece Clarke , and her soon to be husband Iram Lewis and they told him that when he returned to The Bahamas he should join up with the Tigers club.And he took them up on their suggestion under the coaching of Sidney Cartwright.

Fresh off the collegiate scene and all the amenities that colleges offer to their athletes , Oliver said that the most difficult thing returning home was having to pay for everything himself.But he continued to train , after a deal was worked out with Iron Man Gym which allowed him to use their facilities at a reduced rate.

I was pleased and willing to work in any environment I was faced with said the Andros native who found training in New Providence interesting , but not too difficult.

In school most of his season had been done indoors.Coming to New Providence he found himself training at Fort Charlotte and at the beach , which he credits with improving his strength and time.But he found adjusting to the stifling heat difficult.

Motivating him through the rough period of adjustment he said was being around persons like Iram and Eldece , fellow relay team member Tim Munnings and coach Cartwright , who he said all spoke about winning a medal at the World level.And he pressed on.

After the disappointing showing at the Commonwealth Games he didn't make the Pan Am team in 1995.But he persevered , making the Goteborg World Championships team that year.

He along with Troy McIntosh , Dennis Darling and Munnings ran sixth in the semi-finals in 3 minutes and 2.85 seconds.It wasn't good enough to take them through to the final.

Oliver then made the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games team , running both a relay and an individual quarter , due to the good times he ran that year.But at the Olympics he didn't get past the heats in his individual event.

It was just frightening to go out into the stadium and to see all of those people , he remembered.

...
Oliver didn't run the early heats due to food poisoning and was rested until the final.And when the time came for him to run he was told he would have to run the first leg , which he objected to.

I'm not a strong first leg runner and I expressed that to Sidney Cartwright who was the coach , but he didn't listen to me , he remembered.He gave me an ultimatum that I either run the first leg or not at all.And I really wanted to run and did..The team finished seventh in another national record time of 3 : 02.71.

I felt that I was one of the reasons why the team didn't perform better than seventh place.And it was very disappointing to me..