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Canadian Sprinter Donovan Bailey Banned From Driving on DUI Charges

Once holder of the world record for the 100 meters race, Donovan Bailey seems to be into speed on road, as well. The retired sprinter was recently banned from getting behind the wheel for one year and fined with CA$1,500 after pleading guilty to driving his 2006 Land Rover under the influence, back in 2012. The suit recently came to an end with Donovan making the plea through his lawyer on August 15.
Donovan Bailey 1 photo
Photo: www.canadianimmigrant.ca
He once held the world record for the 100 meters race following his gold metal performance in the 1996 Olympic Games. Donova Bailey is the first Canadian to legally break the 10-second barrier in the 100 m. Particularly noted for his top speed, Bailey ran 27.07 mph (12.10 m/s).

But speed is not the reason he recently got his driving license suspended. In a statement read to the court on Bailey’s behalf, the sprinter said he was on his way from a wine tasting on March 28, 2012. Bailey was parked on the narrow shoulder of the Don Valley Parkway when the arresting officer believed the vehicle “partially encroached on a lane of traffic,” so he pulled up behind Bailey.

After approaching Donovan, the officer noticed an odor of alcohol and, when he admitted to having consumed some, he conducted a roadside Breathalyzer test, which Bailey failed. Donovan was charged and the lawsuit finished on the 15th after his lawyer stated on his behalf that “this has been a difficult, embarrassing and regretful event for which I am very sorry.” After the suit was over, Bailey tweeted: “you must have long term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short term failures,” a quote attributed to Charles C. Noble.

The judge's decision might seem a bit harsh, but the Olympic gold medalist has been involved in driving-related incidents before. According to The Star, two years after Bailey took home two gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and set a new world record, his car crashed into a concrete utility pole, flipped over and caught fire. He was fined $200 for failing to report an accident. Moreover, in 2011, Bailey was fined CA$975 for driving 200 km/h on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW).
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