About 15 years ago, I got a call from Elva Russell-Rolle. She informed me of a young cousin who had excelled in basketball, but found out following a friendly bet that he had a special gift to get over the high bar, at an appreciable height.

The college track coach found out about Donald Thomas’ high jump effort. The rest is history. He advanced from a collegiate star to a fourth place finish at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Ever since, he has been an elite performer, succeeding at every major event at the gold medal level, with the one exception of the Olympics. However, he has been an Olympic finalist.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian