THOMPSON Richard

General
RETURN TO STUDY
In 2005 he began studying at Louisiana State University in the United States of America and decided to focus on his sporting career after winning gold in the 4x100m relay and silver in the 100m events at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He resumed studying in 2019 and a year later he graduated with a degree in sociology. "Once I became a professional and my collegiate career ended in 2008, my life changed. The most important thing, as my parents have said to me, is I have the certificate. I am officially a college graduate now [speaking in 2020] and that is something to be very proud of. Even after all of these years just going back and having the determination and drive to get back into school and complete this chapter of it was something that has always been important for me. I wanted to be an example for our kids in Trinidad and Tobago as well to let them know that Richard is a good runner, Richard has achieved a lot at the professional and Olympic level, but he also values the importance of education and hopefully, by me coming back and making this next step, is an example to those who come after me." (newsday.co.tt, 16 May 2020, 14 May 2020; guardian.co.tt, 15 May 2020)

BOLDON INSPIRATION
He went to the same primary school [Newtown RC School] as Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Ato Boldon. When Thompson was age 10, Boldon came to speak to his class. "My teacher told him I was the fastest boy in the school at the time, and he was like, 'Really? When I was at Newtown RC School I was the fastest boy here, so now I can take my crown and I pass it on to you', and he took an imaginary crown from his head and put it on my head. When I told him [after Thompson had won an Olympic medal], he just laughed about it and said, 'I remember doing that but I don't remember you being the person.'" (IAAF, 11 Sep 2014)