Richard Thompson Athletics – Track (100m, 4x100m)

Thompson has won a silver medal at each Olympic Games he has competed in. Since his blistering performance in the Men’s 100m final in Beijing in 2008, crossing the finish line behind the great Jamaican Usain Bolt, he has been an integral member of this nation’s sprint contingent.

‘Torpedo’, who made a name for himself at Louisiana State University (LSU), stopped the clock at 9.89 seconds in the Beijing final to announce his arrival on the world stage.

He copped double gold at the 2008 Games, anchoring the 4x100m relay team to second place in 38.06 seconds while trailing the Jamaicans. Another silver medal was achieved in 2012 in London this time in somewhat controversial circumstances in 38.12 seconds after the disqualification of USA for a doping violation by one of its sprinters.

Despite his pacing waning a bit, Thompson still believes this country’s relay team can make it three Olympics in a row with a medal. Speaking after winning the National Championships 100m event in June, he warned those against underestimating TT’s relay men with the likes of Rondell Sorrillo, Keston Bledman and Emmanuel Callender.

“In all honesty Rondell surprised me a bit in the 100 as well. But it is good, it is a good surprise, a pleasant surprise to see him running as well as he is. Bledman is a veteran, so is Emmanuel Callender. I am very confident about the 4x100, I think people have written us off for the last two or three years but after this weekend I think we put ourselves right back in the mix.

It has not been ideal form for Thompson leading up to the Olympics though, he failed to get past the heats at the London Anniversary Games, crossing the finish line in a distant eighth spot in 100m event in 10.26 seconds.

‘Torpedo’ has the ability to crank up the speed though and will need to if he intends to lead TT to further relay success.