Daley Thompson biography

 Daley Thompson biography

Daley Thompson, byname of Francis Morgan Thompson, (born July 30, 1958, London, England), British decathlete who turned solely the second competitor in historical past to win the decathlon at two Olympic Games, capturing gold medals in 1980 and 1984.

The son of a Nigerian father and a Scottish mom, Thompson made his debut within the decathlon at age 16, profitable a contest in Cwmbrân, Wales. Thompson’s rating of 6,685 factors was a British junior report, and in that very same 12 months, 1975, he certified for the British Olympic staff. At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Thompson completed 18th; in 1978 he completed second on the European championships. He wouldn't lose one other decathlon for 9 years.

In 1980, after setting a world report in May with 8,622 factors, Thompson dominated the competitors on the Olympics in Moscow to win the primary of his gold medals. Particularly sturdy within the shorter distance runs and leaping occasions, Thompson twice set world information in 1982 and positioned first within the 1983 world championships. At the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Thompson efficiently defended his title, equaling the achievement of the American Bob Mathias, who received Olympic decathlon gold medals in 1948 and 1952. Although Thompson’s whole of 8,797 factors fell one level wanting the world report, when the scoring tables for the decathlon have been adjusted in 1985, his Olympic level whole was modified to eight,847, and he was awarded the world report.

Thompson, who attracted publicity for his vibrant persona, was hindered by accidents on the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, and completed fourth.