That is Deji Ogeyingbo’s characteristic on Kishane Thompson, the Olympic silver medalist within the 100 meters, and the expectations of this younger Jamaican from his homeland.
Kishane Thompson, the Olympics, and the season every part modified
The boys’s 100m is among the most watched occasions on the Olympic Video games. Paris wasn’t totally different. All you do is run for lower than ten seconds, and you might be residence and dry. It’s that straightforward, and but it’s not. Within the French capital, eight males lined up for one probability for glory, and it will definitely went to Noah Lyles.
All kinds of information have been damaged over the space in Paris. I simply wished to let you understand that I received’t bore you with all of that for now. In spite of everything, the numbers for the non-purists weren’t a lot of an excellent deal. It was primarily in regards to the conversations on how Usain Bolt made the occasion look so easy in comparison with how they needed to wait a couple of seconds earlier than they decided who the winner was between Lyles and the brand new child on the block, Kishane Thompson.
Thompson was meant to turn out to be the subsequent international star of the game after Usain Bolt. The Jamaican had undoubtedly been the bookies’ favourite for the win heading into the 100m. His world was about to alter. Take down the Loquacious Lyles, and the world could be his. There’s often speak about how an Olympian takes 4 years to coach to run for 10 seconds. Destinies and large sponsorship contracts all depend upon the way you execute these moments.
And to be truthful to Thompson, he was nicely primed to take the Gold. He had taken down all of the runners that bought to the ultimate earlier than Paris, besides the Individuals. Letsile Tebogo, Akani Simbine, and even his countryman, Indirect Seville, had did not win a race in opposition to him. His confidence was by the roof at that time. The snag, although, was he was but to face both of the Individuals, particularly when the stakes have been excessive.
It’s the previous cliché, but it surely’s true: time and work matter. Lyles and Fred Kerley have been doing it on the high stage for a very long time; there’s a synchronicity and chemistry to what they do, which multiplies how they will handle their nerves and execute their races flawlessly. It sounds easy, however if you break down the race and the way Lyles had one of the best execution, you understand the dearth of expertise performed a component in Thompson’s probability of taking Gold in Paris.
The brand new Olympic silver medalist expressed no regrets after competing in one of many quickest 100m finals in Olympic historical past in entrance of a vibrant crowd at Stade de France in Paris 2024. Reflecting on the race, he acknowledged, “I wouldn’t do something over. I don’t see it as one thing to redo. I made a mistake, and I’ve to just accept it and transfer on. There’s no going again.”
The state of affairs Thompson finds himself in stark contrasts with the place Lyles is at the moment positioned. Thompson, competing in his first Olympics and vital championship, should expertise racing in entrance of over 70,000 spectators. Whereas being skilled by Stephen Francis, one of the vital achieved dash coaches of this era, mitigates a few of the challenges, Thompson’s age and inexperience are vital components. Furthermore, lots of his talents nonetheless have to match as much as Lyles, highlighting the disparity between the 2 athletes.
The query is how Thompson goes to take this loss going ahead. He has constantly proven that he’s a 9.7s runner on his good day. No one goes to take that away from him. Amongst all of the athletes on the grid, maybe solely Lyles can run these occasions constantly. Some might even throw Kerley into that blend. One factor is certain, although, this expertise will do him a world of excellent.
Thompson’s problem is just about distinctive — much more so than the hurdles confronted by earlier Jamaican sprinters like Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake. These athletes have set a excessive customary, and the expectations from the Caribbean nation are relentless. Whereas there could also be some leniency towards Thompson for now, something lower than gold sooner or later will possible be seen as a disappointment.
