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©Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of
Fame
BARNEY FRANCIS, Micmac, Prince Edward Island,
Canada
Inspired and encouraged by
fellow Micmac runner,
Michael
Thomas, and the famous
Tom
Longboat, Barney Francis lived up to the tradition
established by those two accomplished athletes -- he became
a champion.
Francis was born on Prince Edward Island in 1897. Following
military service in World War I, he began competing as a
member of the Abegweit Amateur Athletic Association in
middle-distance events. In 1922, he set a Provincial record
for the half mile. For three consecutive years (1922-24),
his individual performances helped his club win the Maritime
Provinces Track and Field Championships.
In 1923, Barney Francis made history when he registered a
thrilling upset victory in the mile race at the Canadian
Track and Field Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His
time of 4:32 1/5 broke a Maritime record that had stood for
fifteen years.
As national champion in the mile, Francis was invited to
join the Canadian team preparing for the 1924 Olympic Games
to be held in Paris. Unfortunately, an ankle injury incurred
during training hindered his performance at the Olympic
Trials in Montreal and Francis failed to qualify for the
Games.
In recognition of his athletic achievements, Barney Francis
was inducted into the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of
Fame in 1982.
Contributed by Michael O'Grady
Sources:
Ballem, H. Charles
1986 Abegweit Dynasty: The Story of the Abegweit Amateur
Athletic Association 1899- 1954. The Prince Edward Island
Museum and Heritage Foundation, Charlottetown.
Additional information was supplied through the generosity
of Wayne Wright, Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of
Fame.
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Prince Edward Island Sports
Hall of Fame
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