Segun Makinde

Biography

Segun Makinde was named to both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic teams as a member of the 4x100m relay but did not actually compete at either. He was also named to the 2013 IAAF World Championship team, but again did not take to the track with the 4x100m relay. He went on to be a double gold medallist at the 2013 Jeux de la Francophonie, winning the 200m and the 4x100m relay. Makinde’s multi-sport competition experience also includes the 2011 and 2013 World University Games, where he posted two top-five finishes in the 200m. He represented Canada for the first time at the 2007 IAAF World Youth Championships and also competed at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton. He finished fifth in the 100m at the 2016 Canadian Championships after recording a personal best 10.24 seconds in June.

Getting to Know…

Family: Parents Femi and Eunice Makinde… Younger siblings Toluwalope and Oluwagbenga… His family moved to Canada in 1992 after his father won a scholarship to pursue his PhD in Edmonton… Getting into the Sport: Started running track at age 15… Had always been interested in the sport, but it took high school teacher Mr. Dempsey forcing him to enter a meet in the summer of 2006 for him to think about how far he could go… Outside Interests: Enjoys reading a good book, listening to music, watching movies… RBC Olympian… Graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2014 with a Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Marketing… Odds and Ends: Inspired by American world champion hurdler David Oliver for his determined and strong willed attitude… Has a watch from the 2013 World University Games that is now a good luck charm… Always travels with his Bible… Collects coins and keychains from his travels… Favourite motto: The more you seek the uncomfortable, the more you will become comfortable…