He had dreams of running for Canada in the Olympics, then he learned his family would be deported

A burgeoning track star says his dream of going to the Olympics is being derailed by a deportation order after Immigration officials rejected his family’s claim for asylum

A burgeoning track star says his dream of going to the Olympics is being derailed by a deportation order after Immigration officials rejected his family’s claim for asylum

Tamarri Lindo, 20, who competes for York University, is one of the country's top-ranked hurdlers at the collegiate level. He dreamed of representing Canada at the Olympics since he caught the eye of scouts while in high school and was awarded a $2,500 scholarship. He recently won a bronze medal at the national championships in the 60-metres hurdles, and was hoping to compete at qualifying events for the Olympics later in May.

But that dream was put on pause. He's scheduled to be deported to Jamaica next week. 

Tamarri hoped making the team would strengthen his family’s case to become permanent residents. That was before his parents received a notice of deportation from the Canada Border Services Agency on Monday. CBSA has an order to deport them by May 24.

“My goal was to make the 2024 Paris Olympics. But now, it feels like everything is being taken away,” said Tamarri in an interview with CTV National News.

“I feel like I could have a mental health breakdown. My heart is sinking.”

Tamarri says he remembers leaving school in Kingston, Jamaica with his younger sister and brother and being warned that “people wanted to shoot up their car.”