Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson expressed a blend of emotions after finishing second in the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Despite his silver medal, Thompson was full of praise for his compatriot Oblique Seville, who claimed gold in the event.
Seville made history by becoming the first Jamaican to win the 100m gold at a World Championship since Usain Bolt’s last victory in 2015. Seville clocked a personal best of 9.77 seconds to secure the win, putting him in a class of his own. Thompson, who finished in second place with a time of 9.82 seconds, acknowledged the significance of the victory for Jamaica, especially given the country’s drought in winning the men’s 100m gold since Bolt’s reign.
While Thompson was disappointed by not securing the top spot, he admitted that Seville’s triumph was well deserved. Seville had come close to winning a major global title in previous championships, finishing fourth at both the 2022 World Championships in Eugene and the 2023 edition in Budapest. However, his victory in Tokyo was a result of consistent performances and unwavering determination.
Thompson reflected on how proud he was of Seville, especially considering his long journey to the top. “You guys know the story with him,” Thompson said, referencing the setbacks Seville faced in the past. “It was a really phenomenal feeling for both of us at the end of the day.”
For Thompson, the silver medal was both a victory for Jamaica and a personal achievement, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment at not having secured the gold. Nevertheless, he was grateful for the podium finish and took solace in the fact that it was a good result for his country. Thompson’s thoughts were clear: “It’s been a while since we’ve gotten the gold, and actually gotten a gold and silver. So, it’s a great thing for Jamaica.”
With Seville’s gold marking a significant moment in Jamaican athletics, Thompson’s pride for his country and his teammate was palpable. The silver medal may have been bittersweet for him, but the bigger picture was a triumph for Jamaican sprinting.
