Earl Thomson
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Earl John "Tommy" Thomson (February 15, 1895 – May 19, 1971) was a Canadian athlete, a specialist in the high hurdles.<ref name="CSHOF" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1920 he became the first Olympic gold medalist in 110 m hurdles from outside the United States.<ref name=r1/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
BiographyEdit
Born in Birch Hills, Northwest Territories (now in Saskatchewan), Thomson moved to southern California at age 8, because the warm weather would be better for his mother. Thomson attended Long Beach Poly, where he won the 120 yard hurdles at the first CIF California State Meet in 1915. He also was second in the high jump and fourth in the discus throw.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1916 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, and served there during World War I.<ref name=r1/> He then went to the University of Southern California for one year and then transferred to Dartmouth College. He graduated from there in 1922.<ref name=USColympians>USC OLYMPIANS: 1904–2004 Template:Webarchive, USC Trojans Athletic Department, Accessed August 13, 2008.</ref> In 1918, he had already won the AAU championships in the high hurdles,<ref>USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions. Men's 110 m Hurdles. usatf.org</ref> and in 1920, he set a new world record in the 110 m hurdles, running 14.4. This record would remain unbeaten until 1931, although it was equaled a number of times. He sought to represent the United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, but was ruled ineligible due to his Canadian citizenship. He then joined the Canadian Olympic team.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
At the Olympics, Thomson won a clear victory over his American rivals. The following year, he equaled his own world record, and won the AAU, IC4A and NCAA championships. That year he also won the 220 yard low hurdles.<ref>USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions. Men's 200 m Hurdles. usatf.org</ref> He retired after his third AAU title, in 1922.<ref name="CSHOF">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Later, Thomson became a track and field coach, coaching the team of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland for 36 years.<ref>Ex-Olympian Earl Thomson Dies of Cancer, Oxnard Press Courier, May 22, 1971</ref>
In 1930 Thomson, along with Harold Barron and Harry Hillman, was involved in the design of a new safer hurdle, with a view to reducing the danger of bad falls and injuries.<ref>Coaches Design New Track Hurdle to Prevent Falls, Alton Evening Telegraph, July 8, 1930</ref>
Thomson was an inaugural inductee to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1955.<ref name="CSHOF" /> He died of cancer in Oceanside, California aged 76.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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{{#invoke:Navbox|navbox}} Template:Footer US NC 110m Hurdles Men Template:Footer US NC 200m Hurdles Men Template:USA Indoor Track and Field Championships winners in men's 60 m hurdles Template:Authority control