Daley Thompson

Daley Thompson Olympic Legend

Profile and Bio of Two-Time Olympic Decathlon Champion

Daley Thompson was a legend of both track and field. The decathlon is the greatest all-round test of athletic ability. And winning an Olympic gold medal at this discipline is the toughest mountain to climb in sport. By winning two Olympic gold medals, Daley Thompson can be considered one of the all-time greats in sport.

When you consider how Thompson beat the odds from a troubled start – and his work as an ambassador of sport – this is an amazing story of true grit and determination.

The Early Years and Daley’s Decathlon Introduction

It would be fair to say that Daley Thompson had a troubled youth. He was born in Notting Hill, London. His father left home when he was six years old. At the age of seven, he would find himself at a boarding school in Sussex, which was described as ‘a place for troubled children.’ Just before becoming a teenager, Thompson’s father was shot dead, an incredibly traumatic ordeal for the young Brit.

Despite the difficulties in his life, Daley Thompson would nurture a love of sport in his early years. His first aim was to become a professional footballer, but eventually athletics would take over.

Daley Thompson Olympics

From Sprinting to Decathlon

At first, he was a member of the Haywards Heath Harriers, but on returning to London, he joined the Newham and Essex Beagles.

Thompson’s aim was to be a sprinter, but his coach at the time, Bob Mortimer, suggested he give the decathlon a go. The first two decathlons he entered, he won. Just a year later, he became the national champion and found himself heading to his first Olympic games in Montreal. A third-place finish in the 100m, the first event of the series, saw Thompson in an early podium place, but he would eventually finish in 18th place, behind legendary winner Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner).

Two years later, in 1978, Thompson would win his first international gold medal, after finishing first at the Commonwealth games in Edmonton, Canada.

Daley Thompson: Olympic Golds in 1980 and 1984

It was a very different Daley Thompson heading into the 1980 Olympics. Now an experienced and world class decathlete, he put down a serious marker for the Olympic Games by breaking the world record in May, just two months before he jetted off to Moscow.

Thompson dominated the event from the start. He finished first in both the 100 metres and the long jump (the first two events of ten event series). He then finished day one by winning the 400 metres.

Thompson had a healthy lead going into day two. His nearest rival was Russian Yuriy Kutsenko. But despite the home athlete outperforming Thompson in the final three events, Thompson’s lead was so large that he would win Olympic gold by a massive 164 points.

Battling the Germans at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics

Post Athletics ThompsonHeading into the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, Thompson had a massive rival in German Jürgen Hingsen. Three months before the games, Hingsen would break Thompson’s world record which set up a great rivalry and one of the biggest talking points of the games. Could Thompson win back-to-back gold medals?

In a repeat of 1980, Thompson would win the 100m, Long Jump and 400m on the opening day and claim a big lead. Behind him were three Germans – Jürgen Hingsen, Siegfried Wentz, and Guido Kratschmer.

Hingsen would close the gap on day two, bettering Thompson in both the 110m hurdles and the discus. However, Thompson would extend his lead in the pole vault and javelin. Despite finishing more than 12 seconds behind Hingsen in the gruelling 1500 metres, Thompson had done enough to win again. Once again with a lead of more than 100 points.

Thompson became only the third athlete in history to win two Olympic Gold Medals in the Decathlon (joining Bob Mathias and Ashon Eaton).

Post-Olympic Glory and Retirement

In 1986 Thompson would claim gold for the third time at the Commonwealth Games. However, at the World Championships in 1987 he would only finish 9th, the first time he hadn’t won in nine years. 1988 saw the Olympics move to Seoul in South Korea. Thompson would once again win the 100m and put himself in pole position, but his day one wasn’t as dominant as in previous years. Heading into day two, he was in the mix, but would eventually finish fourth, missing out on a bronze medal by just 22 points. This was to be his last Olympic games before his retirement in 1992 due to a persistent hamstring injury.

After his athletic career, Thompson toyed with football, playing reserve team and non-league games, before taking up fitness coach roles in the game.

Daley Thompson: Post Competition Career

In 2012, Daley Thompson was an ambassador for the London Olympic Games. During his career, he was twice honoured by the Queen, with an MBE in 1983 and a CBE in 2000. In 1982, Thompson would be named the Sports Personality of the Year.

His activities have included TV appearances, fitness coaching for football clubs – and even opening his own gym in 2015.

 

FAQ: Daley Thompson Quick Overview

Where and When Was Daley Thompson Born?

Daley Thompson was born on July 30, 1958, in Notting Hill, London

Did Daley Thompson come from an athletic background?

Yes, his father was a former decathlete, and his mother was formerly sprinter, this gave Daley strong foundation in athletics.

What are Daley Thompson’s Most Notable Achievements in Athletics?

Daley Thompson is best-known for winning back-to-back gold medals in the decathlon at the Olympic Games. He won the gold medal in 1980 (Moscow) and 1984 (Los Angeles). He also secured multiple gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships.

How Many Olympic Medals did Daley Thompson Win in Total?

Daley Thompson won two Olympic gold medals, both in the decathlon event. Winning back to back medals is an exceptional achievement, with multiple golds from other events also part of his legacy.

What Training Methods did Daley Thompson Use?

Daley was known for his rigorous and innovative training methods. He combined intense strength and endurance training with skill work across the ten decathlon events. This focused on improving his weaknesses while maintaining his strengths. At a time when we did not have the electronics and computing powered methods used today, Daley was a pioneer of rigorous and intense training methodologies.

What Challenges did Thompson Face During his Career?

Yes, he battled injuries throughout his career, including a hamstring injury that nearly prevented him from competing in the 1984 Olympics.

What did Daley Thompson do after Retiring from Competitive Athletics?

After retiring from athletics, Daley Thompson remained active in sports – working as a sports presenter, commentator, and motivational speaker. He also contributed to various charitable causes and engaged in community projects aimed at encouraging youth participation in sports.

Did Daley Thompson Receive any Honours or Awards?

Yes, he was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to sport. Additionally, he was inducted into the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding achievements in the world of athletics.

More British Legends: