DeVon Bean On Miles Outerbridge Gold Medal
DeVon Bean said he was immensely proud of Miles Outerbridge after the sprinter broke his long-standing national 100 metres record to win gold at the Carifta Games in Grenada yesterday [April 4].
Outerbridge stormed to victory in the under-20 boys’ 100 at the Kirani James National Stadium in 10.21sec, eclipsing Bean’s previous record of 10.27 set in 1996.
Bean, now the Bermuda National Athletics Association’s director of athletics, said he was beyond proud to see his 30-year mark surpassed.
“Records are made to be broken, but they aren’t always broken by the right person,” Bean said.
“Seeing Miles eclipse the mark I’ve held for so long bring me a level of pride that words can barely capture.”
He said Outerbridge’s achievement carried special significance given his character and past sacrifices.
“Last year, at the Carifta Games, I watched Miles make a choice that defined his individual glory and a certain medal to run extra legs in the relay for his country and team-mates,” Bean said.
“He finished fourth in his individual event because he gave his all to the team event.
“In that moment, through the disappointment, I looked him in the eye and told me, ‘Your reward is coming’.
“Today, that reward has arrived in the most spectacular fashion.
“Miles is the embodiment of humility and resilience. He is a young man immense integrity who puts in the work when on one is watching and remain gracious when the world is.”
Bean, who competed at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, said the milestone went beyond times and records.
“Seeing him reach this milestone isn’t about the clock of the history books – it’s about a deserving athlete finally getting what his heart and sacrifice earned him,” he added.
Outerbridge also met the qualifying standard for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after winning his 100 heat in 10.29 seconds.
