Monday, August 23, 1999

Silver could lead sprinter to pot of gold

By STEVE BUFFERY -- Toronto Sun

SEVILLE, Spain -- It was difficult to determine who was faster: Bruny
Surin on the track or his agent, Ray Flynn, on the phone calling
European meet directors. 
                    
One thing's for sure, Surin stands to make some major coin, given his
excellent run in the men's 100-metre final at the world track and field
championships. 
                    
He may have finished second to American star Maurice Greene
yesterday, but winning the silver in 9.84 seconds, a time which stood as
a world record for two full seasons prior to this year, certainly will put
the modest Montrealer in a better neighbourhood. 
                    
"Without getting into details, I think this will elevate his stature in a
major way," said Flynn, in terms of Surin's earning power. 
                    
When asked how much more he could demand for his client on the
lucrative European circuit, Flynn replied: "A lot, a lot." 
                    
Olympic and world sprint champions can make $50,000 US per race
and Surin can now expect just under that. He earned a $30,000
paycheque for his troubles on the Olympic Stadium track last night.
Greene took home $60,000 for the win. 
                    
But Surin's spectacular time does more than just bump up his bottom
line. It opens doors. Meet directors will bend over backward to have him
race. And there are still a few big races left in the season, including
Brussels (Sept.3), Berlin (Sept.7) and the Grand Prix Final in Munich
(Sept.11). Surin and Donovan Bailey also are expected to race Sept. 1
in Bellinzone, Switzerland. 
                    
The anticipated windfall from his showing yesterday certainly is
deserving. Surin, 32, has been one of the world's best sprinters for
almost a decade, starting with his bronze in the 100 at the 1990
Commonwealth Games, but has run in the shadow of either Ben
Johnson, Bailey, Greene or Ato Boldon. The main reason for that, other
than his shy and quiet nature, is that Surin consistently just misses out on
the biggest prizes. 

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the Haitian-born runner led in the
final for a good 40 metres, and appeared to be in good shape to win the
gold, when he tightened up and faded to fourth. The same thing
happened yesterday. The win was his to take, after passing Greene at
about 20 metres, but he again tightened and was passed. But because
his time was so good, Flynn said Surin's marketing power went up big
time.