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The Mitchell Township Community Center was abuzz with the sounds of vuvuzelas and the rhythmic banging of pot lids at the RJRGLEANER watch party in honor of Olympic 100-meter finalist and eventual silver medalist Kishane Thompson.
However, after the men’s 100m final, some residents expressed disappointment, saying they felt Thompson was stripped of a gold medal, but they still said they were proud of their hometown.
Despite the close result, the community came together to celebrate Thompson’s impressive silver medal win.
One resident said: “Keeshan, you still win gold!”
Thompson finished just 0.005 seconds behind American Noah Lyles, who narrowly won the gold medal.
Thompson’s high school coach, Oliver Haywood, said he had long predicted the sprinter would become a great athlete.
“I told him years ago that one day he would be here,” Haywood told reporters. The Gleaners.
Recalling the moment Thompson qualified for the Olympics, Haywood said he was excited.
“I literally cried for him,” revealed Haywood, who had the privilege of training Thompson during his tenure at Gavi Maceo High School in Clarendon.
The former coach was unreserved in his praise for Thompson, calling him a model human being – humble, respectful and “very smart.”
Notably, he said, Thompson turned down the opportunity to serve as student body president at Gavi Maceo School, choosing instead to devote himself to his true passion: sports.
Dennis May, a member of the Jamaica Track and Field Administration Association and co-founder of the Jamalco Track and Field Club in Clarendon, also praised his protégé Thompson. The GleanersHe also revealed, “We will not rush for success, but instead train champions ourselves.”
He reflected on Thompson’s early years, saying, “When we got Kishani, we realized we had someone special as early as high school. He was very quiet, very humble, and very smart.”
May also recalled the predictions of his compatriot Neville Maiten, who predicted in 2019 that Thompson would become one of the greatest sprinters in the history of the sport. May quoted Maiten as saying: “Kishane reminds him of the great Bob Hayes in 1964 – he has the same physique as him and runs with the same power as him.”
Always try your best
Wearing white shirts with Thompson’s likeness and proudly proclaiming “9.77 – the ninth fastest man in history,” Thompson’s family members showed up to cheer him on.
His mother, Grace Allen, was overjoyed to see such an impressive turnout and expressed her sincere gratitude to the community for the outpouring of support for her son.
“I’m so proud of my son,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
When asked about his expectations for the semi-final, Allen responded: “He always gives his best effort and that’s what I expect from him.”
Clarendon South MP for Hayes Scean Barnswell praised Thompson’s achievement as shining proof of the constituency’s huge potential.
“What this means for southeast Clarendon is that we are not all crime and violence here. We are also able to produce the best talent,” Barnswell said, highlighting the region’s ability to produce outstanding talent.
Pearnel Charles Jr, MP for Clarendon South East, expressed similar sentiments The Gleanershighlighting the profound impact Thompson’s achievements have had on young people in the rural community of Mitchell Township.
Charles Jr. stressed that “every boy and girl will say, ‘If he can do it, I can do it,'” and firmly believed that Thompson’s success had inspirational value.
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