Thomas Hampson (athlete)
|
|
Thomas Hampson (October 28, 1907 – September 4, 1965) was a British athlete, winner of the 800 m at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Hampson, a native of Clapham (London), didn't take up running seriously until the last year of his studies at Oxford University. After completing his education, he became a teacher in 1930. That same year, he won the British AAA championships over 880 yd (805 m), a title he would also claim in 1931 and 1932.
Also a winner at the inaugural British Empire Games, Hampson was one of the world's leading runners in the 800 m and half-mile event. That made him one of the top favourites for the 800 m gold at the 1932 Olympics, held in Los Angeles, especially since world record holder Ben Eastman was not running the 800 m, concentrating on the 400 m instead. In the final, Hampson fought off Canadian Alex Wilson to break the tape in 1.49,7, a new world record.
He added a second Olympic medal with the British 4 x 400 m relay team, which placed second to the United States. Hampson ended his sports career later that year. Several years later, he left his teaching job to become an educator in the Royal Air Force, a job he kept until after World War II.
He died at age 57 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
| Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Olympic Champions in Men's 800 m |
|
Teddy Flack | Alfred Tysoe | Jim Lightbody | Paul Pilgrim | Mel Sheppard | Ted Meredith | Albert Hill | Douglas Lowe (twice) | Thomas Hampson | John Woodruff | Mal Whitfield (twice) | Tom Courtney | Peter Snell (twice) | Ralph Doubell | Dave Wottle | Alberto Juantorena | Steve Ovett | Joaquim Cruz | Paul Ereng | William Tanui | Vebjørn Rodal | Nils Schumann | Yuriy Borzakovskiy |
Template:Footer Olympic Champions Great Britain Men (prewar)