Angela Bailey, the Canadian women鈥檚 record holder in the 100-metre sprint and an Olympic 4x100 relay silver medal winner, has died after battling cancer under complicated conditions. She was 59 years old.
Bailey鈥檚 1987 Canadian women鈥檚 100-metre sprint record time of 10.98 seconds still stands today. She was also part of the women鈥檚 silver medal-winning 4x100 metres relay team at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
Athletics Canada confirmed Bailey鈥檚 July 31 death in a statement Monday and offered condolences to her family and loved ones.
鈥淚 was very sad to hear of Angela鈥檚 passing. I remember her as a talented and determined athlete,鈥� Athletics Canada board chair Helen Manning said. 鈥淭he Athletics Canada family sends their thoughts and sympathy to her family at this sad time.鈥�
Bailey鈥檚 brother, Donald, said in a statement on behalf of the family that Angela died peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
鈥淎ngela was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in the fall of 2020 and valiantly fought for her health and family until her passing on the morning of July 31, 2021,鈥� said the statement. 鈥淭he diagnosis of lung cancer was unexpected and shocking as Angela never smoked and dedicated herself to a lifestyle of healthy eating and exercise.鈥�
The family statement said Bailey 鈥減ersevered with amazing strength and resilience as she battled cancer alongside her five year struggle with mental illness.鈥�
Bailey鈥檚 medal-winning relay team members, Marita Payne, Angella Taylor-Issajenko and France Gareau, also paid tribute to her in a statement.
鈥淲e are in shock and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our teammate, Angela Bailey,鈥� said the statement. 鈥淥ur deepest condolences go out to Angela鈥檚 family and close friends. She was a tremendous competitor on the track and we will always cherish the memories we made together. Rest peacefully our friend.鈥�
Doug Clement, a former Olympic team doctor and a middle-distance track coach in the 1980s when Bailey was competing, said he recalled seeing and speaking with her at events.
鈥淪he stood out as a strong personality,鈥� he said from Vancouver. 鈥淪he stood out as the sort of person who was athletically and academically gifted. I would say she stood out as being a very vital person, a strong competitor.鈥�
Bailey also won three silver medals in 4x100 relays at the Commonwealth Games in 1978, 1982 and 1986.
She set the Canadian 100m record in July 1987 in Hungary and earlier that year also won bronze in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships.
Bailey also holds Canada鈥檚 indoor track record for the 200m at 23.32 seconds.
She also competed in the 4x100 relay and 100m events at the 1988 Games in Seoul.
Bailey was part of the 1980 Canadian team that did not compete in the Moscow Games because of an international boycott.
Bailey earned a law degree from Queen鈥檚 University in 1996 and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2003.
She was inducted into the Mississauga Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame in 2014.
鈥擳he Canadian Press
