Earl Thomson
Earl John Thomson was a notable Canadian athlete, born on February 15, 1895, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He spent much of his youth in California and later pursued higher education at Dartmouth College and the University of Southern California. During his collegiate years, Thomson made history by becoming the first athlete to break fifteen seconds in the high hurdles, achieving a record time of 14.8 seconds. He competed in the 1920 Summer Olympic Games in Antwerp, where he reclaimed the world record in the 110-meter hurdles with an impressive time of 14.4 seconds, earning a gold medal for his performance.
In addition to his Olympic success, Thomson secured national collegiate titles and three National Amateur Athletic Union titles throughout his career. He was known for his innovative technique in hurdling, which involved a unique running style over the hurdles. After retiring from competitive athletics, he dedicated over thirty-six years to coaching track and field at various institutions, including Dartmouth College, West Virginia University, and the US Naval Academy. Earl Thomson passed away on April 19, 1971, in Annapolis, Maryland, leaving behind a legacy in the world of athletics.
Subject Terms
Earl Thomson
Athlete
- Born: February 15, 1895
- Birthplace: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
- Died: April 19, 1971
- Place of death: Annapolis, Maryland
Contribution: Earl Thomson is remembered as an exceptional athlete who established world record times running and jumping hurdles in his unique form. Thomson’s specialty was the 110-meter or 120-yard hurdle event. In 1920, he won a gold medal for his achievements at the Summer Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium. Even though Thomson retired from hurdling in 1922, he coached track for thirty-six years, predominantly at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Early Life and Education
Earl John Thomson was born February 15, 1895, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. From the age of eight, however, Thomson lived in California. Thomson attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and the University of Southern California. While attending college, Thomson became the first athlete to break fifteen seconds in the high hurdles. He completed the task in 14.8 seconds—a record-breaking time. Later that same year, however, Thomson’s brother-in-law, Robert Simpson, claimed the new world record, completing the task in just 14.6 seconds—two-tenths of a second faster than Thomson’s time. After graduating from Dartmouth, Thomson spent two years in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Competition
In 1920, Thomson competed in the Summer Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium, as a representative of Canada. Although his family lived in California at the time, they never applied for citizenship, and Thomson was able to compete for his native Canada. While in Belgium, Thomson regained his world record title in the 110-meter hurdles, running the distance in only 14.4 seconds. Thomson received a gold medal for this achievement. After that, a few athletes tied his record, but it remained intact until 1931, when Percy Beard completed the event in 14.2 seconds.
In 1921, a year after competing in the Olympic Games, Thomson won the national collegiate title in the 110-meter hurdles. He also took three National Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) titles in 1918, 1921, and 1922. In addition to setting world records during his career, Thomson also demonstrated a new method of hurdling. He seemed to run over the hurdles rather than jump them, and he leaned into the jump, throwing both arms in front of his body.
Later Life
After Thomson retired from track and field competition, he coached track at Dartmouth in 1922, at West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1923, and finally at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, from 1927 to 1963. In total, Thomson coached track for more than thirty-six years. Thomson died April 19, 1971, in Annapolis, Maryland, at the age of seventy-six.
Bibliography
“Canada Will Have Earl Thompson as Entry for Hurdles.” The Morning Leader (Regina) 22 Apr. 1920: 11. Print.
Chaput. John. “Track and Field.” The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina, 2006. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.
“Earl Thomson.” Usatf.org. USA Track & Field, n.d. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.
“Earl Thomson World’s Record.” Toronto World 19 Aug. 1920: 9. Print.
Horncastle, Michelle. “Great Local Athletes – 1920 Olympic Medalist – Earl Thomson.” paNow.com. PA NOW, 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 9 Aug. 2013.