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When multi-award-winning singer Bruno Mars co-wrote and composed one of his love songs, God Was Showing Off—a track on his The Romantic album 2026— music lovers learned of earth angels and miracles “put together only God can do.”
Building females’ confidence, Mars also sings, “God was showing off while making you…. Don’t hide your wings, set them free.”
Mars, 40, knew very little about Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), let alone what God created on August 16, 1950. But in researching T&T, he learned that God showed off while making a unique earth angel in the form of Hasely Crawford TC.
Despite a myriad of childhood challenges, including grief at 14 after his father’s death and seeing his then-widowed mother struggle intensely to care for him and his other 11 siblings, Crawford clasped sport to his wings.
He mastered competitive running as he continuously outpaced others at community and school levels.
“I had one school pants and shirt,” he divulged.
Crawford strengthened his talent throughout his secondary school life and early working career at Texaco Oil Company.
In 1970, while T&T was buckling under a Black Power uprising, Crawford was on international soil focusing on sport.
“I was extremely worried. I was looking at it on the news,” Crawford told Guardian Media.
He competed at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Panama; won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland; and was awarded a scholarship to Eastern Michigan University, USA.
“I built confidence! My plan to make T&T, the university and my mom proud was real.”
In 1972, Crawford qualified for the 100-metre final at the Summer Olympics in Germany, but an injury stymied his performance.
In 1975, he won the NCAA 100-metre individual title as a student. The following year, he proved to be a miracle; set his wings free and made the world respect T&T.
On July 24, 1976, at the Olympic Games in Canada, Crawford did not only become the very first Trinidadian to win an Olympic gold medal for T&T, but the very first Caribbean athlete to do so for the Americas.
At the Montréal Olympic Stadium in Quebec, Canada, Crawford, wearing gold-coloured spikes, number 846 and running in the hardest lane – lane one – crossed the finish line in 10.06 seconds in the 100-metre final.
With his right hand raised to the sky and index finger extended, signalling number one, he glanced at his first runner-up. Crawford was instantaneously described by the announcers as: “The fastest man on earth.”
It was the Games of the XXI Olympiad. He beat Jamaica’s champion sprinter Don Quarrie into second place by 0.02 seconds and Ukraine’s 1972 defending double-sprint champion Valeriy Barzov (URS) into third.
“Seeing I was from the smallest country and the world believes that only large countries succeed at Olympics, the night before, I read the Bible, changed multiple outfits and couldn’t sleep, so my teammates tied me to my bed, but I was ready. I felt good and competed at the 1976 Olympics well-prepared, but God is so good, he gave me another gift. The next day my daughter Halle was born. It was an indescribable weekend. I also have a son, Harlan.”
Crawford’s welcome-home speech included his request for Trinidad to get a stadium “so that more Hasely Crawfords could be produced.”
As a gift to the nation, he presented the then Prime Minister, Dr Eric Williams, with his winning spikes. T&T’s National Stadium was eventually renamed Hasely Crawford Stadium, but “that was a bittersweet experience. I no longer go there,” stated Crawford.
A BWIA aircraft was also named after him, with one of his fondest memories being air stewardesses embracing him upon his return to Trinidad. Stamps once carried his face.
The history-making Crawford leads a very private personal life, but he led a hectic, enterprising professional life.
“Soon after my Olympic gold, I worked for BWIA for one year, then as Sport Advisor, and Deputy Director of Sport for 15 years, but never got the opportunity to develop sport. At NGC as Head of Community Relations, I was well-utilised. Many school libraries, community centres, a senior citizen home, the cycle track at the Arima Velodrome and the International Hockey Pitch in Tacarigua were successfully established, and the Right on Track coaches’ programme benefitted Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St. Vincent.”
Among Crawford’s recognitions are T&T’s then-highest award—the Trinity Cross (TC), T&T’s Athlete of the Millennium (2000), and becoming a comic book hero in A Runner’s Life—Lessons from an Olympian.
Crawford’s message to young Trinidadians:
“When you see your mother/parents supporting you in sport, you must pay her/them back—say thanks by always doing well.”
Crawford said he thanks God for his mom and for allowing him to celebrate golden moments: the 50th anniversary of winning the Olympic gold medal on July 24, 2026; receiving the nation’s highest award; being born in the 50th decade of the 20th century; and, on July 25, celebrating his daughter’s 50th birthday.
Additionally, he thanks everyone who extended congratulations.
Though calm, Crawford says he loves very vibrant colours, calypso, jazz and pan. Following his retirement earlier this year, he enjoys tending to his plants and dogs and looks forward to helping young people.
English (US) ·