Daley Thompson

Daley Thompson is the kind of athlete I would liked to have been. I loved his confidence and he always looked like he was enjoying himself (and still does today). For some it was bordering on arrogance but I think he only crossed that line when required. If anything when he did cross that line I felt it was always in a humorous way rather than being too cocky. What he achieved in his time was amazing, going nine years unbeaten and setting 4 world records whilst winning two Olympic gold’s, 3 Commonwealth Games gold’s and wins in both the European and World Championships. He has also been awarded the MBE, OBE and the CBE. I wonder how long it will be before he becomes Sir Daley.

The picture above is my favourite of him and one that inspired Sir Steve Redgrave no less. It says it all about the man. His competitors lying at his feet exhausted (by the way you can purchase the picture by going here if you are interested).

Last year’s fantastic London Olympics also provided us Brits with another winner in Jessica Ennis. Watching her win gold reminded me of how Daley was in his day. Dominating the event and enjoying it along the way. I really enjoyed seeing the competitors do a lap of honour together at the end. I always think it’s nice to see competitive rivals get along once they are off duty.

My experience of athletics at school was rubbish. About 4 weeks before ‘Sports Day’ out would come all the athletics kit they had. For the next few weeks we’d all be instructed to practise the javelin, discus, long jump, high jump and running events. Then as soon as Sports Day was over it would all be packed away until the same time the following year. There was no chance for any naturally gifted athlete to be discovered in those days, at least not in the area where I lived.

As an ex Fitness Instructor I have a healthy respect for all athletes and I think it’s great that today there is so much more available to anyone who wants to have a go at athletics. I just wish it would have been like that when I was younger.

I downloaded the Jessica Ennis photos without making a note of the source. If they are your photos, and you can prove it, please get in touch and I'll put your name to them. I hope you don't mind me using them.