Akeem Haynes

Akeem Haynes, born on March 11, 1992, is a talented Canadian sprinter and former Canadian football player. Originally from Jamaica, he relocated with his family to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories at the age of seven, before moving to Calgary at ten. His athletic journey began early, and he quickly made a name for himself in track and field.

Haynes qualified for the prestigious 4 × 100 m relay team representing Canada at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, finishing fourth at the Canadian national championships. Although he did not compete in the event, this experience set the stage for his future endeavors in athletics.

In 2013, despite battling injuries, Haynes achieved recognition as a First Team All-American after securing second place in the 4 x 100 m at the NCAA championships while competing for the University of Alabama. His determination and skill led him to represent Canada again at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where he clocked a time of 10.24 seconds in the 100 meters but did not advance past the heats.

During the same Olympic Games, Haynes was part of the 4 x 100 m relay team that narrowly missed a medal, finishing just 0.02 seconds behind the United States team. However, due to a disqualification of the USA team for an improper baton pass, Canada was awarded the bronze medal, marking a significant achievement in Haynes' career alongside teammates Andre De Grasse, Brendon Rodney, Aaron Brown, and Mobolade Ajomale.

In January 2018, Haynes transitioned to professional football, signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Unfortunately, his time with the team was short-lived, as he was released before the preseason games began on May 10, 2018.