Jamaican sprint star Kishane Thompson has shared a heartfelt message of appreciation for his fans after a sensational win at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston. The Olympic 100m silver medallist stormed to victory in a world-class field, clocking a season-best 9.88 seconds, cementing his position as one of the world’s top sprinters.
In front of a raucous home crowd, Thompson edged out fellow Jamaican Oblique Seville, who finished second in 9.97 seconds. South African sprinters Gift Leotlela and Bayanda Walaza rounded out the top five, placing fourth and fifth with respective times of 10.04 and 10.06 seconds.
Following his victory, Thompson opened up about the emotional impact of the crowd’s support, expressing deep gratitude to the fans who turned out in large numbers at Kingston’s National Stadium. According to him, their energy and encouragement helped fuel his performance.
“It’s a tremendous feeling to know that a person whom I don’t know can give me support,” Thompson said. “Not everybody is going to give you that support, but when I do get it, I’m very appreciative.”
Despite his quiet nature and preference for solitude, Thompson acknowledged the unique relationship between athletes and their supporters. He admitted that while he’s not naturally inclined to interact with many people, he understands the importance of being accessible to fans and respectful of their admiration.
“I say this not to be disrespectful, but I’m not a people person,” he admitted. “But I know that it comes with the territory. I won’t be distraught or act negatively when people come towards me. I know I’m kind of in the public right now, and honestly, I can’t walk really fast,” he added with a smile.
Thompson’s path to the Racers Grand Prix victory has been eventful. He kicked off his season with a strong showing in the 60m at the Central Hurdles Relays and Field Events. He followed that with a win at the Astana Indoor Meet for Amin Tuyakov Prizes, marking a successful indoor debut.
His campaign continued with a second-place finish in the men’s 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Keqiao, where he narrowly missed out on gold. However, his participation at the World Athletics Relays was cut short due to a mishap in Jamaica’s baton exchange, which cost the team their shot at victory.
After returning home, Thompson competed in the JAAA WA Championships Preparation #1 meet before heading into the Racers Grand Prix a stage where he would once again showcase his blistering speed and consistency.
Thompson’s display in Kingston was not just a win on the track; it was a celebration of resilience, growth, and the powerful connection between athlete and audience. The roar of the crowd, the Jamaican flags waving, and the electric atmosphere were not lost on him. He credited that support for giving him an extra push as he powered through the finish line.
Looking ahead, Thompson is poised for an exciting season, with eyes firmly set on further Diamond League success and, ultimately, the Olympic Games. For now, however, he is taking a moment to soak in the joy of his recent performance and the love shown by his fans a reminder that sometimes, victory is about more than just the time on the clock.
