'It set my standards' — How watching Usain Bolt at the 2008 Olympics fueled a burning desire in Kishane Thompson to cement own legacy

Jamaican sprinter, who recently clinched a silver medal in the men’s 100m at the has revealed that the 2008 Olympics were a pivotal moment in shaping his aspirations in the sport. 

Thompson, whose near-miss for the gold saw him finish just 0.005 seconds behind American, is determined to make his own mark in athletics, fueled by the memories of Jamaica’s legendary 2008 performance.

Thompson’s podium finish was a significant achievement for Jamaica, marking the nation’s first 100m medal since Usain Bolt’s iconic reign.

Thompson's breakthrough season on track and field, which saw him eventually win silver in the 100 meters of the Paris Olympic games, has paved way for more financial rewards to him.

 Bolt won three consecutive Olympic titles in 2008, 2012, and 2016, setting a standard for generations of Jamaican sprinters to follow.

 While Thompson had hoped to take the top spot in Paris, his silver medal represents an impressive rise for the 23-year-old, who had no prior experience in senior global championships, largely due to injuries that hampered his participation in previous World Championships.

Reflecting on the impact of the 2008 Olympics, Thompson shared how that monumental event set the tone for his career ambitions.

 “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,” Thompson back in July.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics were Jamaica’s best showing, with the country’s athletes winning six gold medals and setting multiple records. 

Usain Bolt famously shattered world records in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also led a historic Jamaican sweep of the medals in the women’s 100m, while Veronica Campbell-Brown won gold in the 200m. This unparalleled success left an indelible mark on Thompson and countless other aspiring sprinters.

Despite his meteoric rise, Thompson has been candid about the areas he still needs to improve to reach his full potential.

Thompson-Herah, who recently left Elite Track Club after less than a year there, has explained the critical mistake she has been making which has been contributing to her constant injury issues.

 Reflecting on his past struggles with injuries and his journey to refine his technique, he noted, “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.»

Thompson elaborated on the delicate balance of sprinting, explaining that it’s not just about raw speed in the first 100 meters but also about maintaining that speed through the latter part of the race.

 “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 ahead, Thompson remains focused on enjoying his journey in the sport, a lesson he’s come to embrace after facing numerous setbacks.

 “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 touched on the personal connection he feels with 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.”