)
Kishane Thompson may be a household name nowadays, but the journey to becoming the athlete he now is was not easy.
Jamaican sprint prodigy Kishane Thompson has shared the trials and tribulations that shaped his journey to becoming one of the world’s fastest men. Raised in the quiet town of Mitchell Town, Clarendon, Thompson's rise to global prominence was far from smooth.
His meteoric breakthrough came at the Jamaican Olympic Trials, where he stunned the athletics world by clocking a staggering 9.77 seconds in the 100m—a time that made him an instant contender among sprinting’s elite.
His electrifying performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he narrowly missed gold to Noah Lyles, further cemented his status. Both men finished in 9.79 seconds, with the victor decided by mere thousandths of a second.
)
19:00 - 06.12.2024
'They longer recognise silver & bronze medals' - MVP track club coach Paul Francis slams Jamaican fans for getting 'spoilt' by success
Paul Francis has spoken against the 'spoilt' nature of Jamaican fans following the Paris Olympic games, where the country only produced one medal -Kishane Thompson's 100-meter silver medal - in sprint events.
Yet, Thompson’s journey to the top was a story of grit and perseverance. Despite his growing wealth and fame, Thompson remains grounded, often reflecting on his modest upbringing.
“Life up until this moment has been really humbling,” Thompson told Nationwide 90 FM. “It was not the best upbringing, but I do not think it was the worst.
“I had to dig deep and focus on what I wanted because nothing was given to me free of charge. I had to work hard for it through my struggles and tribulations.”
Thompson’s talent was first noticed at Garvey Maceo High School, where he transferred after starting his education at Bustamante High School. Under the mentorship of Dennis May and coaches Oliver Heywood and the late Neville Myton, his potential began to flourish.
)
18:37 - 28.11.2024
'Yo've gotta punch him in the mouth' - Justin Gatlin sends advice to Kishane Thompson, Fred Kerley & Co on how to stop Noah Lyles
Justin Gatlin has offered advice to sprinters like Kishane Thompson and Fred Kerley on how to stop Noah Lyles, citing Christian Coleman's victory over his American counter part during the 60 meter dash final of the 2024 World Indoor Championships as an example.
Myton, a Jamaican middle-distance legend known for identifying talent, predicted in 2018 that Thompson would one day become one of the greatest sprinters of all time. He had made similar predictions about the legendary Veronica Campbell-Brown, further showcasing his knack for spotting exceptional athletes.
However, Thompson’s journey was marred by setbacks, including shin splints, hamstring injuries, and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. These challenges prevented him from fully showcasing his abilities at the celebrated ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, a key stage for Jamaican school athletes.
Despite the hurdles, Thompson never considered abandoning his sprinting dream.
“I did not think about doing something else,” he said. “It seemed like I was destined to have so much potential, but it was so hard to manifest.
“The more I tried, the more it seemed like I was being held back. That forced me to work harder and do more than I had to, which kept me grounded.”
Even during moments of doubt, Thompson found strength in pushing forward.
“I am human, and I am going to feel sad, but even though I feel that way, I am going to push on.”
Now a household name, Thompson is hailed as Jamaica’s next sprinting beacon, drawing comparisons to the legendary Usain Bolt. His mix of humility, intelligence, and raw talent has endeared him to fans worldwide, and his journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)