‘It set my standards’ – How watching Usain Bolt at the 2008 Olympics fueled a burning desire in Kishane Thompson to cement own legacy
Kishane Thompson has shared how watching Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce dominate at the 2008 Olympics inspired him as a sprinter.
Recently winning a silver medal in the men’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Thompson considers the 2008 Olympics a crucial influence on his aspirations in athletics.
He finished just 0.005 seconds behind American Noah Lyles for the gold, driven by memories of Jamaica’s remarkable performance in 2008. His silver medal marks a significant achievement for Jamaica, being the country’s first 100m medal since Bolt’s era. Bolt’s consecutive Olympic victories from 2008 to 2016 set a high standard for future Jamaican sprinters.
Although Thompson aimed for gold in Paris, his silver represents a significant achievement for the 23-year-old, who previously struggled with injuries that limited his experience in major championships. Reflecting on the 2008 Olympics, Thompson stated, “I watched the 2008 Olympic Games, and they set my standards to [want] to cement myself in this sport. From there, I knew that I wanted it.”
The 2008 Beijing Olympics marked Jamaica’s most successful performance, with six gold medals and multiple records. Bolt broke world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, while Fraser-Pryce and Campbell-Brown secured gold in the women’s events. This success left a lasting impression on Thompson and many other aspiring sprinters.
Despite his rapid rise, Thompson acknowledges areas for improvement. He remarked, “My aim was always to execute. In my first couple of seasons, even though I struggled with injuries, I also suffered in terms of my execution. I had raw speed and talent, but I was not patient enough with my talent and speed.”
He explained that sprinting requires more than just speed in the initial phase; maintaining that speed through the race is vital. “I believe at one point, I was going to go faster from 0 to 100, but you can only do so much in 100 meters. The next half or quarter of the race is about maintenance. I think that will keep me humble and keep dreaming for more.”
Looking forward, Thompson aims to enjoy his journey in the sport, a perspective shaped by his setbacks. He noted, “Competition can be really intense because we all want to win, but I always tell myself that track and field is based on competition. Despite the fact that someone like me has been through a lot of setbacks, we can get to a place where we can run fast and enjoy ourselves.”
He also expressed his long-standing passion for sprinting, saying, “From a tender age, I loved the sport, and enjoying myself in it. I have started to enjoy that feeling because at one point it was so tense, as I could not go there to do what I wanted to do.”
