Earl John "Tommy" Thomson (February 15, 1895 – May 19, 1971) was a Canadian athlete, a specialist in the high hurdles.[3][4] In 1920 he became the first Olympic gold medalist in 110 m hurdles from outside the United States.[1][5]
Born in Birch Hills, Northwest Territories (now in Saskatchewan), Thomson moved to southern California at age 8, because the warm weather would be better for his mother. Thomson attended Long Beach Poly, where he won the 120 yard hurdles at the first CIF California State Meet in 1915. He also was second in the high jump and fourth in the discus throw.[6] In 1916 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, and served there during World War I.[1] He then went to the University of Southern California for one year and then transferred to Dartmouth College. He graduated from there in 1922.[7] In 1918, he had already won the AAU championships in the high hurdles,[8] and in 1920, he set a new world record in the 110 m hurdles, running 14.4. This record would remain unbeaten until 1931, although it was equaled a number of times. He sought to represent the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, but was ruled ineligible due to his Canadian citizenship. He then joined the Canadian Olympic team.[9]
At the Olympics, Thomson won a clear victory over his American rivals. The following year, he equaled his own world record, and won the AAU, IC4A and NCAA championships. That year he also won the 220 yard low hurdles.[10] He retired after his third AAU title, in 1922.[3]
In 1930 Thomson, along with Harold Barron and Harry Hillman, was involved in the design of a new safer hurdle, with a view to reducing the danger of bad falls and injuries.[12]
^ abcEvans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. . Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17.
earl, thomson, other, people, with, same, name, disambiguation, earl, john, tommy, thomson, february, 1895, 1971, canadian, athlete, specialist, high, hurdles, 1920, became, first, olympic, gold, medalist, hurdles, from, outside, united, states, 1920personal, . For other people with the same name see Earl Thomson disambiguation Earl John Tommy Thomson February 15 1895 May 19 1971 was a Canadian athlete a specialist in the high hurdles 3 4 In 1920 he became the first Olympic gold medalist in 110 m hurdles from outside the United States 1 5 Earl ThomsonEarl Thomson in 1920Personal informationBornFebruary 15 1895Birch Hills Northwest Territories CanadaDiedMay 19 1971 aged 76 Oceanside California United StatesSportSportAthleticsEvent s Hurdles high jumpClubPrince AlbertAchievements and titlesPersonal best s 110 mH 14 4 1920 HJ 1 803 m 1918 1 2 Medal record Representing CanadaOlympic Games1920 Antwerp 110 m hurdlesBiography EditBorn in Birch Hills Northwest Territories now in Saskatchewan Thomson moved to southern California at age 8 because the warm weather would be better for his mother Thomson attended Long Beach Poly where he won the 120 yard hurdles at the first CIF California State Meet in 1915 He also was second in the high jump and fourth in the discus throw 6 In 1916 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served there during World War I 1 He then went to the University of Southern California for one year and then transferred to Dartmouth College He graduated from there in 1922 7 In 1918 he had already won the AAU championships in the high hurdles 8 and in 1920 he set a new world record in the 110 m hurdles running 14 4 This record would remain unbeaten until 1931 although it was equaled a number of times He sought to represent the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp but was ruled ineligible due to his Canadian citizenship He then joined the Canadian Olympic team 9 At the Olympics Thomson won a clear victory over his American rivals The following year he equaled his own world record and won the AAU IC4A and NCAA championships That year he also won the 220 yard low hurdles 10 He retired after his third AAU title in 1922 3 Later Thomson became a track and field coach coaching the team of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland for 36 years 11 In 1930 Thomson along with Harold Barron and Harry Hillman was involved in the design of a new safer hurdle with a view to reducing the danger of bad falls and injuries 12 Thomson was an inaugural inductee to Canada s Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 3 He died of cancer in Oceanside California aged 76 13 References Edit a b c Evans Hilary Gjerde Arild Heijmans Jeroen Mallon Bill et al Tommy Thomson Olympics at Sports Reference com Sports Reference LLC Archived from the original on 2020 04 17 Edwin Earl Thomson Trackfield brinkster net a b c Honoured members Earl Tommy Thomson Canada s Sports Hall of Fame Archived from the original on 2009 11 25 Retrieved 2011 06 21 Earl Thomson world record Toronto World 1920 08 19 p 9 Retrieved 2014 11 06 Earl Thomson Olympedia Retrieved 15 July 2021 California State Meet Results 1915 to present Hank Lawson Archived from the original on 2014 10 06 Retrieved 2012 12 26 USC OLYMPIANS 1904 2004 USC Trojans Athletic Department Accessed August 13 2008 USA Outdoor Track amp Field Champions Men s 110 m Hurdles usatf org Canada will have Earl Thomson as entry for hurdles Regina Morning Leader 1920 04 21 p 11 Retrieved 2011 06 21 USA Outdoor Track amp Field Champions Men s 200 m Hurdles usatf org Ex Olympian Earl Thomson Dies of Cancer Oxnard Press Courier May 22 1971 Coaches Design New Track Hurdle to Prevent Falls Alton Evening Telegraph July 8 1930 Earl Thomson Dies of Cancer The Victoria Advocate 1971 05 20 p 19 Archived from the original on 2016 03 04 Retrieved 2014 11 06 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Earl Thomson Official film of 1920 Olympics 110 hurdles on YouTube Earl Thomson at the Canadian Olympic Committee Earl Thomson at Olympics com Earl Thomson at the USATF Hall of Fame Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Earl Thomson amp oldid 1110011803, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
