Kishane Thompson: How Olympic 100m silver medalist plans to handle his newfound wealth

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Kishane Thompson: How Olympic 100m silver medalist plans to handle his newfound wealth

Mark Kinyanjui 20:40 - 06.10.2024

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.

Jamaican sprinting prodigy Kishane Thompson is on the cusp of reaping significant financial rewards after his breakout 2024 season, where he clinched a silver medal in the men’s 100m at the Paris Olympic Games.

 This achievement marked a historic moment for Jamaica, as it was the nation’s first 100m podium finish since Usain Bolt’s legendary reign, which saw him secure three consecutive Olympic titles in 2008, 2012, and 2016. While Thompson had hoped for gold, he missed out by a razor-thin margin of just 0.005 seconds to American Noah Lyles.

Despite his disappointment, Thompson’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Before the Olympics, the 23-year-old had no experience in a senior global championship, largely due to injuries that kept him sidelined from previous World Championships. 

His 2023 season was also limited to just three Diamond League appearances, where he finished fifth in Monaco, second in Xiamen, and fourth at the Final in Eugene, Oregon. Now, after proving himself on the biggest stage, Thompson is poised for major financial opportunities, ranging from competition earnings to brand endorsements.

However, Thompson remains focused on his athletic goals rather than the inevitable financial windfall. Speaking to Nationwide 90 FM before the Olympic Games, he emphasised that his top priority was staying grounded.

“I am prepared in terms of, I do not really think about it and let it overwhelm me. I see it as coming with the territory, but my main focus is on track at this very moment,” Thompson explained.

Reflecting on his near miss in the 100m final, Thompson acknowledged that he had much to learn from the experience.

 “I gained a lot of experience running with all these great competitors,” he said in the aftermath of the race to Relevo. Finishing just a thousandth of a second behind Lyles, the Jamaican star admitted to making mistakes but felt that the experience would serve him well moving forward. “I made my mistakes, and I know what I should improve on now.”

Thompson’s future on the track looks incredibly bright. At 23, he has established himself as one of Jamaica’s most promising athletes, stepping into the spotlight in the post-Bolt era. With his sights set firmly on refining his technique and maintaining his health, Thompson is clearly prioritising long-term success over immediate financial gain.

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