[Music] good evening bonsoir a lira that’s well
good evening bonsoir a lira that’s well
good evening bonsoir a lira that’s well in came my mother tongue I’m taking cava
in came my mother tongue I’m taking cava
in came my mother tongue I’m taking cava and I overcome obstacles for a living
and I overcome obstacles for a living
and I overcome obstacles for a living you laugh because you do too just in
you laugh because you do too just in
you laugh because you do too just in your own special way
your own special way
your own special way so here’s a show to show you guys how I
so here’s a show to show you guys how I
so here’s a show to show you guys how I overcome my obstacles there are people
overcome my obstacles there are people
overcome my obstacles there are people out there supporting me and happens
out there supporting me and happens
out there supporting me and happens first for so long and it’s great to see
first for so long and it’s great to see
first for so long and it’s great to see my hard work first a little bit
my hard work first a little bit
my hard work first a little bit [Music]
it’s not a gift to be an Olympian you
it’s not a gift to be an Olympian you need to earn it and I can honestly say
need to earn it and I can honestly say
need to earn it and I can honestly say that
to be an Olympian is a dream come true
to be an Olympian is a dream come true definitely something to remember for
definitely something to remember for
definitely something to remember for that’s not like as I mentioned earlier
that’s not like as I mentioned earlier
that’s not like as I mentioned earlier cooks of hands if you conquer challenges
cooks of hands if you conquer challenges
cooks of hands if you conquer challenges on a daily basis congratulations you are
on a daily basis congratulations you are
on a daily basis congratulations you are all fellow hurdlers I told you so
all fellow hurdlers I told you so
all fellow hurdlers I told you so so we are here tonight because we’ve
so we are here tonight because we’ve
so we are here tonight because we’ve made a choice and that same choice
made a choice and that same choice
made a choice and that same choice applies to our life course in form of a
applies to our life course in form of a
applies to our life course in form of a decision I believe we’ve all made
decision I believe we’ve all made
decision I believe we’ve all made decisions in our lives they have brought
decisions in our lives they have brought
decisions in our lives they have brought us to where we are today right now in
us to where we are today right now in
us to where we are today right now in this moment you may not believe it but
this moment you may not believe it but
this moment you may not believe it but according to a Cornell University study
according to a Cornell University study
according to a Cornell University study humans make thirty five thousand
humans make thirty five thousand
humans make thirty five thousand decisions on a daily basis 226 of those
decisions on a daily basis 226 of those
decisions on a daily basis 226 of those on food alone and tonight we’ve all
on food alone and tonight we’ve all
on food alone and tonight we’ve all allocated one of those decisions to
allocated one of those decisions to
allocated one of those decisions to share this face with one another sixteen
share this face with one another sixteen
share this face with one another sixteen years ago if you would have told me that
years ago if you would have told me that
years ago if you would have told me that I would one day present on a platform as
I would one day present on a platform as
I would one day present on a platform as impactful of Ted I would have laughed at
impactful of Ted I would have laughed at
impactful of Ted I would have laughed at you and if you work further to say that
you and if you work further to say that
you and if you work further to say that I’d be doing in English I would have
I’d be doing in English I would have
I’d be doing in English I would have caused you crazy and referred you to a
caused you crazy and referred you to a
caused you crazy and referred you to a doctor but I believe that we
doctor but I believe that we
doctor but I believe that we strategically calculate our steps to
strategically calculate our steps to
strategically calculate our steps to other journeys and pick our exact
other journeys and pick our exact
other journeys and pick our exact positions where we are have you ever
positions where we are have you ever
positions where we are have you ever accomplished something that you at the
accomplished something that you at the
accomplished something that you at the moment you proceeded as thought was
moment you proceeded as thought was
moment you proceeded as thought was impossible so Vance we got some work to
impossible so Vance we got some work to
impossible so Vance we got some work to do
do
do I am Exhibit A I want to know that that
I am Exhibit A I want to know that that
I am Exhibit A I want to know that that the moment that thought comes to mind is
the moment that thought comes to mind is
the moment that thought comes to mind is the moment you should actually believe
the moment you should actually believe
the moment you should actually believe that you can make it happen because I’m
that you can make it happen because I’m
that you can make it happen because I’m doing it right now I’m talking at all
doing it right now I’m talking at all
doing it right now I’m talking at all TEDx and I’m doing it in English which
TEDx and I’m doing it in English which
TEDx and I’m doing it in English which is my third language so our life on
is my third language so our life on
is my third language so our life on earth can be facilitated if we paid
earth can be facilitated if we paid
earth can be facilitated if we paid attention to two things the decisions we
attention to two things the decisions we
attention to two things the decisions we make and the journey that follow each
make and the journey that follow each
make and the journey that follow each decision think about that for a second
decision think about that for a second
decision think about that for a second every single decision you make will lead
every single decision you make will lead
every single decision you make will lead you to a journey and at the end of that
you to a journey and at the end of that
you to a journey and at the end of that journey you’re having to make more
journey you’re having to make more
journey you’re having to make more decisions but this is life you don’t
decisions but this is life you don’t
decisions but this is life you don’t always make the right choices but do
always make the right choices but do
always make the right choices but do keep in mind that the end result is the
keep in mind that the end result is the
keep in mind that the end result is the product of your decisions no matter what
product of your decisions no matter what
product of your decisions no matter what you’re working towards this is where I’m
you’re working towards this is where I’m
you’re working towards this is where I’m from if you can see up there it’s a
from if you can see up there it’s a
from if you can see up there it’s a coffee cup and I spend a lot of time in
coffee cup and I spend a lot of time in
coffee cup and I spend a lot of time in coffee shops so the cup represents the
coffee shops so the cup represents the
coffee shops so the cup represents the world and I was sitting there bored I
world and I was sitting there bored I
world and I was sitting there bored I decided to kind of trace back and so if
decided to kind of trace back and so if
decided to kind of trace back and so if you look on the west coast of Africa
you look on the west coast of Africa
you look on the west coast of Africa Emlyn motherland
Emlyn motherland
Emlyn motherland that’s Guinea no not Guinea Bissau no
that’s Guinea no not Guinea Bissau no
that’s Guinea no not Guinea Bissau no it’s not New Guinea
it’s not New Guinea
it’s not New Guinea it’s just Guinea guys and it’s sitting
it’s just Guinea guys and it’s sitting
it’s just Guinea guys and it’s sitting right there on the west coast of Africa
right there on the west coast of Africa
right there on the west coast of Africa I spent my first 10 years there and I
I spent my first 10 years there and I
I spent my first 10 years there and I grew up in love with a six letter word
grew up in love with a six letter word
grew up in love with a six letter word and disregarded everything that didn’t
and disregarded everything that didn’t
and disregarded everything that didn’t align with that word and it’s called
align with that word and it’s called
align with that word and it’s called soccer
soccer
soccer and as some of you may know resources
and as some of you may know resources
and as some of you may know resources are extremely low in West Africa so the
are extremely low in West Africa so the
are extremely low in West Africa so the odds of me becoming a professional
odds of me becoming a professional
odds of me becoming a professional soccer player was highly unlikely and
soccer player was highly unlikely and
soccer player was highly unlikely and extremely low much like what I’m doing
extremely low much like what I’m doing
extremely low much like what I’m doing today speaking on Ted and doing it in
today speaking on Ted and doing it in
today speaking on Ted and doing it in English so in 2001 my parents mom and
English so in 2001 my parents mom and
English so in 2001 my parents mom and dad decided to send us away on a trip it
dad decided to send us away on a trip it
dad decided to send us away on a trip it began as a vacation but it turned out to
began as a vacation but it turned out to
began as a vacation but it turned out to be a staycation because we were live in
be a staycation because we were live in
be a staycation because we were live in Michigan if Salani Michigan and that’s
Michigan if Salani Michigan and that’s
Michigan if Salani Michigan and that’s where I call it home for the next few
where I call it home for the next few
where I call it home for the next few years I arrived with my sisters dad
years I arrived with my sisters dad
years I arrived with my sisters dad remain in Guinea to work and support us
remain in Guinea to work and support us
remain in Guinea to work and support us and their mom and the rest of the
and their mom and the rest of the
and their mom and the rest of the siblings would follow later and upon
siblings would follow later and upon
siblings would follow later and upon arrival I realized I was embarking on an
arrival I realized I was embarking on an
arrival I realized I was embarking on an extremely tough journey English was new
extremely tough journey English was new
extremely tough journey English was new to me I had to play the hand I had been
to me I had to play the hand I had been
to me I had to play the hand I had been dealt and so I had to make a decision hi
dealt and so I had to make a decision hi
dealt and so I had to make a decision hi will
will
will hi will my journey pan out because I’m
hi will my journey pan out because I’m
hi will my journey pan out because I’m in charge here the end result is a
in charge here the end result is a
in charge here the end result is a product of my decisions and so I decided
product of my decisions and so I decided
product of my decisions and so I decided to right away find a new hobby and this
to right away find a new hobby and this
to right away find a new hobby and this hobby turns out to be another love which
hobby turns out to be another love which
hobby turns out to be another love which happens to be another six letter word
happens to be another six letter word
happens to be another six letter word what’s you soon find out around school
what’s you soon find out around school
what’s you soon find out around school walking around I discovered a track
walking around I discovered a track
walking around I discovered a track walking around got close to it it was
walking around got close to it it was
walking around got close to it it was just there looking so oval and
just there looking so oval and
just there looking so oval and and read and so so captivating I tell
and read and so so captivating I tell
and read and so so captivating I tell you and as I made my way I it was about
you and as I made my way I it was about
you and as I made my way I it was about ten meters from the track I got clothes
ten meters from the track I got clothes
ten meters from the track I got clothes and right away a high schooler just took
and right away a high schooler just took
and right away a high schooler just took off from one end of this barrier and
off from one end of this barrier and
off from one end of this barrier and landed on the next and I later found out
landed on the next and I later found out
landed on the next and I later found out what he jumped over was six six letter
what he jumped over was six six letter
what he jumped over was six six letter word called a hurdle and right away flip
word called a hurdle and right away flip
word called a hurdle and right away flip a switch turned on my head this is my
a switch turned on my head this is my
a switch turned on my head this is my calling this is my thing and so the next
calling this is my thing and so the next
calling this is my thing and so the next decision was to really immerse myself in
decision was to really immerse myself in
decision was to really immerse myself in my newfound love and be able to live
my newfound love and be able to live
my newfound love and be able to live with the pains that came with my new
with the pains that came with my new
with the pains that came with my new follow because I knew it was going to be
follow because I knew it was going to be
follow because I knew it was going to be tough and I’d come across many other
tough and I’d come across many other
tough and I’d come across many other challenges like practice you’re probably
challenges like practice you’re probably
challenges like practice you’re probably thinking how the heck is he coachable if
thinking how the heck is he coachable if
thinking how the heck is he coachable if he doesn’t speak the language well my
he doesn’t speak the language well my
he doesn’t speak the language well my coach decided to my middle school coach
coach decided to my middle school coach
coach decided to my middle school coach came up with his own language basically
came up with his own language basically
came up with his own language basically in track and field of practice I became
in track and field of practice I became
in track and field of practice I became very familiar with a full form urging me
very familiar with a full form urging me
very familiar with a full form urging me to track this would be a 200 100 meters
to track this would be a 200 100 meters
to track this would be a 200 100 meters straight clearly any thoughts what a
straight clearly any thoughts what a
straight clearly any thoughts what a hundred meter hurdles looked like there
hundred meter hurdles looked like there
hundred meter hurdles looked like there you go it was that exactly that and so
you go it was that exactly that and so
you go it was that exactly that and so that’s how we went about practice but
that’s how we went about practice but
that’s how we went about practice but you know it worked out well I slowly
you know it worked out well I slowly
you know it worked out well I slowly picked it up but Michigan was probably
picked it up but Michigan was probably
picked it up but Michigan was probably some of the darkest days of my life I
some of the darkest days of my life I
some of the darkest days of my life I endured so much hatred so much exclusion
endured so much hatred so much exclusion
endured so much hatred so much exclusion all because I had never been exposed to
all because I had never been exposed to
all because I had never been exposed to the language I didn’t speak English I
the language I didn’t speak English I
the language I didn’t speak English I didn’t play like the other kids did
didn’t play like the other kids did
didn’t play like the other kids did never came across any other sports
never came across any other sports
never came across any other sports they’d play it or any of the activities
they’d play it or any of the activities
they’d play it or any of the activities and I just felt alone alienated all the
and I just felt alone alienated all the
and I just felt alone alienated all the time and it just never really
time and it just never really
time and it just never really set well with me so at one point I
set well with me so at one point I
set well with me so at one point I really convinced myself that if maybe I
really convinced myself that if maybe I
really convinced myself that if maybe I didn’t exist things would be better off
didn’t exist things would be better off
didn’t exist things would be better off and I really internalize that and things
and I really internalize that and things
and I really internalize that and things didn’t look too well for me in Michigan
didn’t look too well for me in Michigan
didn’t look too well for me in Michigan and on Valentine’s Day 2002 I learned an
and on Valentine’s Day 2002 I learned an
and on Valentine’s Day 2002 I learned an amazing lesson my principal after
amazing lesson my principal after
amazing lesson my principal after getting into an altercation with a one
getting into an altercation with a one
getting into an altercation with a one of the students who said some absolute
of the students who said some absolute
of the students who said some absolute mean things to me and got into a fight
mean things to me and got into a fight
mean things to me and got into a fight and I made him feel my wrath that felt
and I made him feel my wrath that felt
and I made him feel my wrath that felt so damn good and obviously on
so damn good and obviously on
so damn good and obviously on Valentine’s Day the the principal comes
Valentine’s Day the the principal comes
Valentine’s Day the the principal comes in he’s like since you guys were
in he’s like since you guys were
in he’s like since you guys were fighting on the most loving there of the
fighting on the most loving there of the
fighting on the most loving there of the year I’m gonna give you two weeks of
year I’m gonna give you two weeks of
year I’m gonna give you two weeks of suspension but that doesn’t fix my
suspension but that doesn’t fix my
suspension but that doesn’t fix my problem I’m not responsible he’s like
problem I’m not responsible he’s like
problem I’m not responsible he’s like yes you are I was like what do you mean
yes you are I was like what do you mean
yes you are I was like what do you mean he’s like well you are not responsible
he’s like well you are not responsible
he’s like well you are not responsible for others actions but you are
for others actions but you are
for others actions but you are responsible for what you do and so that
responsible for what you do and so that
responsible for what you do and so that day I decided to use my fists it made
day I decided to use my fists it made
day I decided to use my fists it made him feel my wrath
him feel my wrath
him feel my wrath but it felt great and so the two-week
but it felt great and so the two-week
but it felt great and so the two-week suspension was in order and I fully
suspension was in order and I fully
suspension was in order and I fully accepted it and so next came Georgia my
accepted it and so next came Georgia my
accepted it and so next came Georgia my mother got sick of a cold and she was
mother got sick of a cold and she was
mother got sick of a cold and she was aching for some Sun and peaches so we
aching for some Sun and peaches so we
aching for some Sun and peaches so we ended up in Snellville Georgia upon
ended up in Snellville Georgia upon
ended up in Snellville Georgia upon arrival I talked to my high school coach
arrival I talked to my high school coach
arrival I talked to my high school coach and it was like you know what new place
and it was like you know what new place
and it was like you know what new place maybe I’ve escaped the bullies let’s
maybe I’ve escaped the bullies let’s
maybe I’ve escaped the bullies let’s start fresh and run some track and be
start fresh and run some track and be
start fresh and run some track and be happy and I talked to him I realized
happy and I talked to him I realized
happy and I talked to him I realized that one of my teachers was actually the
that one of my teachers was actually the
that one of my teachers was actually the track coach so I post him in total my
track coach so I post him in total my
track coach so I post him in total my situation I’m new to the place I’d love
situation I’m new to the place I’d love
situation I’m new to the place I’d love to run for you let’s make this happen
to run for you let’s make this happen
to run for you let’s make this happen excited and it looks heavy he’s like son
excited and it looks heavy he’s like son
excited and it looks heavy he’s like son Gladney here all you need to do is find
Gladney here all you need to do is find
Gladney here all you need to do is find that track afterwards and you’ll be on
that track afterwards and you’ll be on
that track afterwards and you’ll be on merry way
merry way
merry way it’s like merry okay sure I’ll look
it’s like merry okay sure I’ll look
it’s like merry okay sure I’ll look forward to running some merry track
forward to running some merry track
forward to running some merry track and so school ended making my way
and so school ended making my way
and so school ended making my way through the the filled house and I’m
through the the filled house and I’m
through the the filled house and I’m walking down the field house there’s a
walking down the field house there’s a
walking down the field house there’s a small hill as you walk down the view is
small hill as you walk down the view is
small hill as you walk down the view is obstructed by some branches and so you
obstructed by some branches and so you
obstructed by some branches and so you lift the branches and you can kind of
lift the branches and you can kind of
lift the branches and you can kind of see that the lovely oval red track and
see that the lovely oval red track and
see that the lovely oval red track and as soon as I live to those branches and
as soon as I live to those branches and
as soon as I live to those branches and looked I panicked I in my mind replayed
looked I panicked I in my mind replayed
looked I panicked I in my mind replayed all the hardships I had endured and
all the hardships I had endured and
all the hardships I had endured and right away almost slipped into a
right away almost slipped into a
right away almost slipped into a post-traumatic episode and what I saw
post-traumatic episode and what I saw
post-traumatic episode and what I saw down there was not fifty humans what it
down there was not fifty humans what it
down there was not fifty humans what it looked like it looked like I saw fifty
looked like it looked like I saw fifty
looked like it looked like I saw fifty monsters and right away I turned around
monsters and right away I turned around
monsters and right away I turned around and decided track and field was not for
and decided track and field was not for
and decided track and field was not for me so I quit for two years went home of
me so I quit for two years went home of
me so I quit for two years went home of just being a student home student home
just being a student home student home
just being a student home student home miserable two years miserable so I gave
miserable two years miserable so I gave
miserable two years miserable so I gave up what I do now for a living for two
up what I do now for a living for two
up what I do now for a living for two years because I allowed others to make
years because I allowed others to make
years because I allowed others to make me hate myself with the help of my
me hate myself with the help of my
me hate myself with the help of my bodybuilding uncle for those two years
bodybuilding uncle for those two years
bodybuilding uncle for those two years he set up a gym in the basement and I
he set up a gym in the basement and I
he set up a gym in the basement and I channeled my energy all of the hate I
channeled my energy all of the hate I
channeled my energy all of the hate I had endured all in the gym downstairs in
had endured all in the gym downstairs in
had endured all in the gym downstairs in the basement so I built some character
the basement so I built some character
the basement so I built some character and put on some masks that I hate I
and put on some masks that I hate I
and put on some masks that I hate I can’t get rid of these days but you know
can’t get rid of these days but you know
can’t get rid of these days but you know what
what
what the following year when I went back to
the following year when I went back to
the following year when I went back to school the same guys who put fear in me
school the same guys who put fear in me
school the same guys who put fear in me we’re now embracing me welcoming me to
we’re now embracing me welcoming me to
we’re now embracing me welcoming me to join the football team because that’s
join the football team because that’s
join the football team because that’s what most muscular guys in school do and
what most muscular guys in school do and
what most muscular guys in school do and what difference it made to feel welcome
what difference it made to feel welcome
what difference it made to feel welcome to feel wanted to feel like I’m part of
to feel wanted to feel like I’m part of
to feel wanted to feel like I’m part of a team so I joined the team and things
a team so I joined the team and things
a team so I joined the team and things began to look up I was the back-to-back
began to look up I was the back-to-back
began to look up I was the back-to-back region champion I went to County many
region champion I went to County many
region champion I went to County many times once the meadows went to
times once the meadows went to
times once the meadows went to the state championships I want to beat
the state championships I want to beat
the state championships I want to beat the fastest guy in the US because he
the fastest guy in the US because he
the fastest guy in the US because he failed during a race it doesn’t matter
failed during a race it doesn’t matter
failed during a race it doesn’t matter it wouldn’t a win but things were things
it wouldn’t a win but things were things
it wouldn’t a win but things were things were amazing okay but in 2007 something
were amazing okay but in 2007 something
were amazing okay but in 2007 something happened
happened
happened my mother decided she wanted the cold
my mother decided she wanted the cold
my mother decided she wanted the cold again so we moved we moved to Canada and
again so we moved we moved to Canada and
again so we moved we moved to Canada and that was a pivotal move because we
that was a pivotal move because we
that was a pivotal move because we didn’t have any status in the US and so
didn’t have any status in the US and so
didn’t have any status in the US and so life was kind of tough and we arrived in
life was kind of tough and we arrived in
life was kind of tough and we arrived in Canada as you know pr’s permanent
Canada as you know pr’s permanent
Canada as you know pr’s permanent residents and things were gonna be legit
residents and things were gonna be legit
residents and things were gonna be legit for a change
for a change
for a change and so arrived to this beautiful country
and so arrived to this beautiful country
and so arrived to this beautiful country and right away continued to run track
and right away continued to run track
and right away continued to run track and you know left to mark one officer
and you know left to mark one officer
and you know left to mark one officer played basketball and football and by
played basketball and football and by
played basketball and football and by this time bullying absolutely I feel
this time bullying absolutely I feel
this time bullying absolutely I feel great no one’s making fun of me anymore
great no one’s making fun of me anymore
great no one’s making fun of me anymore because my English is not too bad what
because my English is not too bad what
because my English is not too bad what actually really really helped me was the
actually really really helped me was the
actually really really helped me was the fact that I had a really really thick
fact that I had a really really thick
fact that I had a really really thick Georgian accent when I came to Ottawa
Georgian accent when I came to Ottawa
Georgian accent when I came to Ottawa and so that actually made me popular
and so that actually made me popular
and so that actually made me popular because I was just weird kid with a
because I was just weird kid with a
because I was just weird kid with a southern accent that everyone just loved
southern accent that everyone just loved
southern accent that everyone just loved in school so that made my transition so
in school so that made my transition so
in school so that made my transition so much easier and so thanks to all the
much easier and so thanks to all the
much easier and so thanks to all the students hats Robbie Bourdon and so
students hats Robbie Bourdon and so
students hats Robbie Bourdon and so track kept going well I accomplished
track kept going well I accomplished
track kept going well I accomplished great things and Here I am today as a
great things and Here I am today as a
great things and Here I am today as a Canadian Olympian that thank you
that still blows my mind because I mean
that still blows my mind because I mean sometimes I’ll try not to sit back and
sometimes I’ll try not to sit back and
sometimes I’ll try not to sit back and think because as you saw a big crybaby
think because as you saw a big crybaby
think because as you saw a big crybaby and so things happen very quickly so but
and so things happen very quickly so but
and so things happen very quickly so but I mean a Olympian community builder god
I mean a Olympian community builder god
I mean a Olympian community builder god I’m doing so much in the city and it’s
I’m doing so much in the city and it’s
I’m doing so much in the city and it’s all because I discovered my purpose
all because I discovered my purpose
all because I discovered my purpose through sport the very sport that made
through sport the very sport that made
through sport the very sport that made me hate myself but that sport has built
me hate myself but that sport has built
me hate myself but that sport has built my character it has left me with
my character it has left me with
my character it has left me with unforgettable lessons to be applied to
unforgettable lessons to be applied to
unforgettable lessons to be applied to other areas of my life I’ve met
other areas of my life I’ve met
other areas of my life I’ve met wonderful people I’ve traveled the world
wonderful people I’ve traveled the world
wonderful people I’ve traveled the world and godlike I’m getting messages on all
and godlike I’m getting messages on all
and godlike I’m getting messages on all media platforms from children who think
media platforms from children who think
media platforms from children who think that I can do something in their life to
that I can do something in their life to
that I can do something in their life to help them overcome something or to help
help them overcome something or to help
help them overcome something or to help them just be better people period and so
them just be better people period and so
them just be better people period and so to do this with sport as the platform is
to do this with sport as the platform is
to do this with sport as the platform is such a big deal for me and so it doesn’t
such a big deal for me and so it doesn’t
such a big deal for me and so it doesn’t have to be the same for you you all in
have to be the same for you you all in
have to be the same for you you all in here have a different platform and use
here have a different platform and use
here have a different platform and use that platform to make an impact to
that platform to make an impact to
that platform to make an impact to change your life to discover your
change your life to discover your
change your life to discover your purpose because that’s why we are on
purpose because that’s why we are on
purpose because that’s why we are on this planet throughout my journey I was
this planet throughout my journey I was
this planet throughout my journey I was kind to every single person I came
kind to every single person I came
kind to every single person I came across and not only inspired and
across and not only inspired and
across and not only inspired and motivated them but it filled them to
motivated them but it filled them to
motivated them but it filled them to reciprocate and so I am forever thankful
reciprocate and so I am forever thankful
reciprocate and so I am forever thankful for every single person who’s been kind
for every single person who’s been kind
for every single person who’s been kind to me and as Maya Angelou said people
to me and as Maya Angelou said people
to me and as Maya Angelou said people would not always remember what to say or
would not always remember what to say or
would not always remember what to say or do but they will always remember how you
do but they will always remember how you
do but they will always remember how you make them feel so keep that in mind and
make them feel so keep that in mind and
make them feel so keep that in mind and choose to be kind I asked for help when
choose to be kind I asked for help when
choose to be kind I asked for help when I needed it most
I needed it most
I needed it most in 2012 I didn’t have citizenship I had
in 2012 I didn’t have citizenship I had
in 2012 I didn’t have citizenship I had applied on my time and my file was just
applied on my time and my file was just
applied on my time and my file was just sitting there waiting 2012 was also an
sitting there waiting 2012 was also an
sitting there waiting 2012 was also an Olympic
Olympic
Olympic here and so with the help of my coach
here and so with the help of my coach
here and so with the help of my coach Ken Porter and MPE peer poly EV they
Ken Porter and MPE peer poly EV they
Ken Porter and MPE peer poly EV they kind of work some magic
kind of work some magic
kind of work some magic FastTrack things and what do you know I
FastTrack things and what do you know I
FastTrack things and what do you know I took my citizenship and only got one
took my citizenship and only got one
took my citizenship and only got one question wrong so yes I’m not a true
question wrong so yes I’m not a true
question wrong so yes I’m not a true born Canadian but I could probably tell
born Canadian but I could probably tell
born Canadian but I could probably tell you guys a lot more about Canada than
you guys a lot more about Canada than
you guys a lot more about Canada than you know so come to me if you like some
you know so come to me if you like some
you know so come to me if you like some history lessons believing in myself and
history lessons believing in myself and
history lessons believing in myself and my goal was a key factor because I was
my goal was a key factor because I was
my goal was a key factor because I was down here at one point and I realized
down here at one point and I realized
down here at one point and I realized that only I could get myself to that
that only I could get myself to that
that only I could get myself to that final destination a few in my circle
final destination a few in my circle
final destination a few in my circle didn’t truly believe in the end result
didn’t truly believe in the end result
didn’t truly believe in the end result but you know what I made it happen it is
but you know what I made it happen it is
but you know what I made it happen it is me the the then young lost boy from
me the the then young lost boy from
me the the then young lost boy from Guinea who’s overcome life-sized
Guinea who’s overcome life-sized
Guinea who’s overcome life-sized obstacles to stand here before you today
obstacles to stand here before you today
obstacles to stand here before you today so I urge you I implore you to really
so I urge you I implore you to really
so I urge you I implore you to really and truly channel your inner hurdler as
channel your inner hurdler as you
channel your inner hurdler as you overcome your daily obstacles all you
overcome your daily obstacles all you
overcome your daily obstacles all you have to do is choose and decide to
have to do is choose and decide to
have to do is choose and decide to strive and enjoy the journey thank you
strive and enjoy the journey thank you
strive and enjoy the journey thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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