Obadele and "Tommie the Jet" …
One of the biggest draws of tomorrow's IAAF Golden League Meeting - the Herculis Zepter in Monaco - will be the island express Obadale Thompson. GIORGIO REINERI profiles the man likely to make a real impact in Sydney and learns that the past has not been forgotten …
When asked about his favourite champions, Obadele Thompson answers, surprisingly, that they date back to a legendary time - 1968. It is true that Carl Lewis came later and that the young Obadele admired his triumphant campaign at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. But even Lewis, with his nine Olympic gold medals, was nothing compared to Tommie "Jet" Smith, John Carlos, Lee Evans and Larry James…
"They were exceptional people because they did things that cost them a lot. They did not only think about winning and earning money, but also wanted to prove that the sport is something more than this. To have an impact in the real world, sport has to help people grow," says Thompson.
Obadele Thompson is 24 years-old and is one of the best sprinters in the world. In the IAAF Golden League meeting in Zurich, just one week ago, he kept world record holder and world reigning champion Maurice Greene under pressure until the finish line, clocking 9.97 to Greene's 9.94. Tomorrow in Monte Carlo, the fifth stage of this IAAF Golden League, Obadele will line up in the 100m again against Greene.
"Well, to be really honest with you, I feel more like a 200m runner. I could even say that I am a 200m runner who can also run fast over 100m. This year, in Austin with Dan Pfaff, I have trained specifically for that race. We are a good group: between 15 and 20 athletes, and each one thinks he is extremely gifted, even those who are not!" jokes Obadele.
It would be difficult to convince people that Obadele did not have a gift for sprinting, even if he only started walking when he was fifteen months old because of problems with his feet (foot varus). He recovered without surgery. "I train together with Bruny Surin and Donovan Bailey," says Obadele. "They both have nine or ten years more experience more than I have, and the more I look at them the more I am convinced that I can learn to become a better athlete. But I need to be patient. History, even our own history my father taught me, evolves slowly over time…"
Alvin Thompson senior was himself a good sprinter at university. Born in British Guyana, he went to the West Indies University in Kingston and in 1963 won the 100 yards title. "Since then, as long as I have been growing the legend of my father as a sprinter has been growing. Each year, a chapter is added to the story…" says Thompson junior with a malicious smile.
For sure, Pop Alvin had a gift, and from these genes, and those of his Bermudan-born mother, a real talent has been transmitted to the son. In the same way, a passion and interest for history has been transmitted from father to son. Professor Alvin Thompson teaches West African History at the West Indies University in Barbados.
Obadele, on the contrary, chose to study marketing and economics, graduating from the University of El Paso, Texas back in 1997.
"Next year I think I will go back to school. I am very attracted to the idea of studying theology, the history of religions. If someone asks me what the connection is between theology, being an athlete and having studied economics, I answer that the connection is my life. If I think about the future, I would like to become a missionary. Not the kind that travels the world, because I've done enough of that, but a missionary who can transmit the right values in the society where he lives."
Obadele talks a lot about growth - the spiritual rather than physical type. His concept of sprinting is very unusual. "I don't think all sprinters should look like Superman, with huge muscles. It would be extremely boring. I really prefer to remain the way I am -normal. To be honest with you, the weights room is only a social place for me. It is the right place to relax after running sessions. I think sprinting is mainly about self confidence and the ability to concentrate. Once you are in the blocks, if you can think only about your own capacities and reject all other information or distractions you can produce a great race. I know it is not easy, for we have a lot of demands on us and the pressure can be overwhelming. But this is exactly how the ability to control emotions can be measured."
Self confidence is another topic that Obadele Thompson likes to raise in his conversation. But this confidence is something very delicate, like a beautiful silk cloth that can tear easily.
"I was injured just prior to the Atlanta Olympic Games and was deeply disappointed during the Games because I finished fourth in the 200m and a semi-finalist in the 100m. I was extremely frustrated not to achieve what I thought was possible to achieve: winning Olympic gold. And this made my sporting career change path over the last four years. I am still convinced that I have not reached my full potential. But things are now getting better and if I remain healthy I think I can run very well in Sydney. "
-The 100m or the 200m?
"Officially, both. But I will decide at the very last moment."
-And over 200m, do you think that John Capel is the man to beat?
"He is very confident and will be very hard to beat if he’s in good shape."
-What do people expect from Obadele Thompson in Barbados?
"I don't know. I know what they have already received. In my role as talented athlete, together with my victories, I have been able to make positive changes. For example, I have been fighting for a new track to be built in my country. I told them that I would simply not run in Barbados any more if they didn’t do something for athletics, something for the youngsters. That was back in 1998. Now, Barbados has a new track. It is a small achievement but as my father would say: "history is a very long process…"
There are many lessons about patience in Olympic history too. Obadele Thompson, fourth at 200m in Atlanta, winner of the IAAF World Cup in Johannesburg 98 when clocking 9.87 in the 100m, fourth in both the 100m and 200m in the World Championships last year, has proved he can be patient. Will Sydney be the place where he earns his reward?