Clayton State Track & Field Head Coach Chris Brown Reflects on Olympic Career

For the first time in 21 years, the Olympic Games did not feature one of track & field's most prominent athletes. Chris Brown of the Bahamas has stepped away from Olympic competition following a career only few achieve. The “Fireman”, which he is referred to as in his native country, has a vision for the Clayton State track & field program which he is building to be the best in not only the conference and region, but the entire nation. 

A five-time Olympian, Brown brought home four medals during his career that includes one gold, one silver and two bronzes. His accolades span from the World Championships to the Pan American Games. The peak of Brown’s professional career came in 2012, when he helped capture the Bahamas’ first ever men’s Olympic gold medal.

The squad of Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu and Ramon Miller teamed up take down the United States with a time of 2:56.72 in the 4x400m relay. The 2012 loss was one of seven times the USA failed to capture the 4x400m relay gold since 1912. Following the games, the quartet of Bahamians was dubbed “The Golden Knights.”

Another result of Brown's hard work and leadership came at the opening ceremonies for those 2012 London Games. Brown was named the nation’s flag bearer and was the first male to hold that honor for the Bahamas since the 1996 Games. 

While his Olympic career may be over, Brown is still eyeing professional events, mainly the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon in July of 2022. 

Brown credits the rest he was able to take after the Rio de Janeiro Games of 2016 and the rest during the COVID-19 pandemic to be able to get back on the track and give back to his country one last time. 

The Clayton State Department of Athletics caught up with Coach Brown for a question and answer session about his Olympic career and the vision of the Laker track & field program. 

Clayton State Athletics (CSA): What do you view as the greatest highlight, outside of winning your medals, of your Olympic career? 

Chris Brown (CB): It was special to be able to see all the different athletes at the same place and at the same time. There was no “off-limits” to anyone. Everyone was just an athlete. There was no class system and everyone was on the same level. Being able to rub shoulders and see professional basketball players, tennis players, gymnasts, cyclists, all in the same place, eating at the same table in the same cafeteria was a huge moment for me and my career. I look back at that and really cherish that moment because we were all equal for a moment in time. 

CSA: Talk about representing the Bahamas and what it meant to serve as the flag bearer at the 2012 Games. 

CB: That was a huge accomplishment. It's something I never sought out to do, but when you're the flag bearer for your country, you're essentially leading them into battle. It was a honor and I take it with pride and wouldn't trade that moment for anything in the world. It was a proud moment to represent my country, my family, my friends, and being able to just lead my team into battle was a honor and blessing. 

CSA: What was it like watching the Games this year as a spectator? 

CB: It was very different. Knowing that you should have been and could have been and would have been out there was huge and different for me. Watching from the couch, all I could think was “Man, I used to be out there. I was one of those athletes out there.” So for me it was just different watching it on the TV and being a spectator. 

CSA: How special was it to see the Bahamas take Gold in the men's and women's 400m? It's an event you competed in and had success in. 

CB: It was very sweet to see and was an honor to watch it on the TV. It would have been even sweeter to see it in person, but I believe that every generation that comes behind should be better than the ones before. So for me, to be able to pass the baton and watch them carry on shows that with hard work, perseverance, dedication and commitment, that anything is possible. I believe that going forward they will continue to do the same for others to have the same success. 

It was an honor to watch that event because that's one of the events I did and I know the physical preparation and the mental preparation you have to do to prepare for it, so my hat goes off to them. I congratulated both of them for their tremendous and outstanding performance and hopefully they can continue to carry that momentum for a few more years, represent the Bahamas at this level and continue to bring in more medals. It was truly a great feeling to watch it and it such a huge success for the country, for them and their families. It was great hearing the national anthem twice in the same event and to watch that history in the making. 

CSA: What went through your head when you saw Miller take the lead on the last leg and cross the line first at the 2012 Games? 

CB: The first thought was “Did we just do what I think we just did?” The second was to take a look at the clock and make sure it happened for real. I've seen too many races where a team would cross the finish line and there would be a DQ next to their name. So watching him cross the finish line, I was like, “Did we just win the Olympic Games?” It was so unreal and real at the same time. 

Finally we did it. Finally I can say, “There's nothing else higher than this.” There's nothing else I need to accomplish than this right here. It was a sigh of relief. I could really and truly walk away from the sport knowing I accomplished what I set out to do. I was happy to know I had three guys who were with me, that made the sacrifices and made the journey and commitment to do what we needed to do and get the country a medal. 

CSA: Why “Fireman?"

CB: Haha! Well most firemen go and put out fires. But for me, I start them and I out them. Some family members started it and then the fans picked up on it because they feel when I get on the track, I'm bringing some type of fire, bringing some type of energy and that I'm bringing that “it” factor. They gave me the name and at the time I didn't even know they were talking about me. But it was a name that stuck. I try to bring a different type of energy to the arena and fans like that. 

CSA: Do you remember the first time you heard it? 

CB: It was at the Olympic trials in 2008 when I was getting ready for Beijing. I hear them calling for the Fireman, so I started looking around for some new runner who I should be looking out for. But when they were calling the lane assignments, they got to my name and that's when I heard them and understood they were calling me that! It took me out of my zone for a moment! It gave me more fuel to showcase my talents. 

CSA: How has your career helped you as a coach? 

CB: It has helped me a lot. I consider myself disciplined and you have to be disciplined and you also have to be patient. Going into the role of a coach, you get to see and understand things differently now that you're on the other side. Transitioning was good and now I'm glad that I get to help a new generation of athletes try to reach their true potential and also help them believe in themselves and build their confidence. Giving back is an honor for me and I look forward to continue to helping them reach their potential. 

CSA: What is something you can tell your student-athletes or someone who is aspiring to be the next Chris Brown? 

CB: First thing I would say is to be patient. They need to trust themselves, believe in themselves and to never give up. If they have any desire of becoming an Olympian and they have the heart to push and keep going despite any obstacle that comes in their way, they need to keep going. It's never going to be an easy road or an easy process of getting to the Olympic Games. It's the highest form of competition in all of athletics. So they need to believe in themselves and trust the process. 

It requires a lot of work and a lot of patience. So keep at it. Fight for want you want and never ever give up. 

CSA: What's your vision for the Clayton State Track & Field as you move into your third season? 

CB: My goal has always been to get to the top and that's the goal I have for the University. In order to get to the top, you have to start somewhere and know the steps to get there. The foundation has been laid and we just need to keep building on that. We have a great class of men and women coming in and we have a great group of returners. We have some pieces of the puzzle coming together and just need to keep building that chemistry. I want to not only get to the top, but to stay at the top. I see us getting there. 

CSA:  Sum up your professional career in one word.

CB: I would have to say, “successful."