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| The Daily Patriot, 21 June, 1909, pg. 1 |
| The Daily Patriot, 21 June, 1909, pg. 1 |
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| Distance runner Michael Thomas from Lennox Island was an example of the prodigious talent exhibited by many First Nations athletes. Born in 1885, Thomas began to train competitively in 1908 under the direction of Father John A. MacDonald, a parish priest, whose former experience as a college athlete made him a great sporting advocate within the local community. Entry in the Patriot Ten Mile road race in 1909 resulted in a compelling victory for Thomas, with the Daily Patriot declaring it "one of the most exciting finishes ever witnessed in this province". Following his outstanding success, he was recruited to the celebrated Abegweit Track and Field Team. He soon went on to compete in Nova Scotia in the Halifax Herald-Mail Ten Mile Road Race, where he repeated his winning performance, being crowned champion for three consecutive years from 1910-1912. At a time when ethnicity and social status could often prove an unfair barrier to sporting participation, Michael Thomas became an athletic hero in the province, inspiring admiration and enthusiasm among large crowds of spectators and supporters, and gaining recognition for what would be termed a 'brilliant career' in sport. | | Next>>> | | Previous<<< |
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