Blind Etobicoke sprinter beats the odds and inspires teammates

WATCH ABOVE: Gavin O’Sullivan is legally blind, and that hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his love of running with his high school track team. Gavin’s teammate Lyndon Bennett is his guide, and the pair run together holding onto opposite sides of an elastic tether. 

TORONTO – Gavin O’Sullivan, an 18-year-old student at West Humber Collegiate, is an inspiration to his teammates and even his coach.

Last May, O’Sullivan moved from Jamaica to Toronto, where his father has lived since 2004.

Being a sports fan, he decided to join the school track team. But what makes his story extraordinary is that he’s legally blind.

READ MORE: A Toronto student who is visually impaired defies the odds by running, playing piano

O’Sullivan said a series of accidents left him blind by the time he was 12, and he is now left with the ability to only see shadows.

Today, with the help of his coach, the guidance of his teammates and the use of a tether, O’Sullivan is pursuing his passion as a sprinter on the West Humber Collegiate track team.

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“Gavin is full of life. He’s extremely positive and he motivates those around him, and he’s taught me a lot as well,” said Rachael Simpson, a coach at West Humber Collegiate. “I’m continually surprised with how, in the face of everything, he’s always positive and he’s a great athlete to boot.”

WATCH BELOW: Blind West Humber Collegiate student excels in athletics and music

On June 5, O’Sullivan joined more than 2,000 other high school students  at the provincial OFSAA Track and Field Championship and beat his personal record of 15.34.

He had previously set a record at the Toronto Metro Championships for a visually impaired 100 meter run.

“My mouth dropped open, I had no idea what he was capable of,” said Simpson.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "My mouth dropped open, I had no idea what he was capable of," said Simpson.

O’Sullivan is also making a difference for his teammates with his inspirational story.

“As soon as Gavin came into my  life, I matured down and I thought ‘Now I have responsibilities, now it’s time for me to get in the right place and act better,” said Lyndon Bennett, O’Sullivan’s sprinting partner.

“For any student that has a disability, they can do anything,” O’Sullivan said. “Just don’t give up, just believe in yourself and go out there and give it a try.”