 |
| Richard Thompson celebrates second place in the men’s 100m Final and the silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 16, 2008 in Beijing, China. AP PHOTO |
Is Richard ready to race in London? Where is Richard Thompson headed? Are his eyes focused? Is his voice echoing the inward hunger as it was at the Beijing Olympics where he won two silver medals? Does he possess the same desire as then? To win the NCAA Division One championships puts you in an enviable state of mind that is positively unbelievable. This is because you have just beaten the best America has to offer. It is what he did prior to his outstanding performances in Beijing. Thompson is now four years older. Is age becoming a factor? Is his mind and body connecting at the same intensive level with reactive efficiency that it did four years earlier? Thompson constantly returns to his college alma mater training grounds to rejuvenate his spirit and his karma. Would this solidify his quest for gold in London?
John Smith now coaches him in California. Smith also coaches Walter Dix, America’s hope for gold. Is this a replay of the Ato Boldon/Maurice Greene scenario? Different times, different turf, different dynamics and competitors. Different focus. Three Jamaicans, like the witches in Macbeth, appear upon the heat with a Frenchman. Past, Present and Future of track. Ever since he doubled as the 100 and 200-metres NCAA champion in 2008, Thompson has not committed to that work load intensity. He's never been hungry enough to challenge for the title of world’s best sprinter since a tall young man named Usain Bolt emerged to stunt his growth. Last season was marred by the Hasely Crawford Stadium fiasco. Blatant administrative blunders and false timing, caused him to shut down 2011 in July after he posted a personal best of 9.86 for the 100 metres event on this track. He went on to compete in Korea. Was he really there? This was answered by his performance.
In June, he is headed for a showdown against Keston Bledman who hungers for him. He ran 10.14 in Jamaica and 10.24 in Doha and has put on weight. What does that mean? It means that he has to learn how to run with that weight /bulk and to control and effectively use the weight to his advantage. This new physique would suggest he must forgo any attempt at the 200 metres. How is this going to affect his sprinting ability?
The preparation for something new may have included:
[1] Speed endurance training mixing aerobic and anaerobic training
[2] Weight training: flexibility power and resistance training
[3] Mental and psychological preparation
[4] Avoidance of negative people and environmental stimuli
[5] Sprinting, starting. Reaction and acceleration drills. Video tape reviews.
It may be a combination of all five categories. The world is going to crown the Olympic champion in less than three months and he is lifting weights and training. This is a strange learning experience under John Smith. Nevertheless, Thompson has reason to be optimistic. Smith has been there before. He knows his game and has a résumé to be envied? Can he train Thompson for the big one? He coached champions before. He himself was a champion. Thompson must be well ahead of schedule if he is training seriously. His times this year are neither impressive nor reflective of his ability. He must be working on a peaking plan. The only thing that should matter to him this year is the Olympic Games. Is his preparations solid enough to beat the likes of Usain Bolt, Yohane Blake, and Tyson Gay. These three runners have all run under 10 seconds for the 100 metres, under 20 seconds for the 200 metres and under 46 seconds for the 400 metres. They are all world champions at a sub-lunar existence.
The other parts of the puzzle are Asafa Powell, Walter Dix, Le Maitre, and Gatlin. It may not be a bad idea if Thompson can associate himself with major prep races on the road to London which passes through the continents: America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Times spent in T&T before the Olympics Games should be minimal. If not, it will present an unhealthy “oil down—pelau” of problems. Thompson is certainly capable of medalling in London, but he needs to assess his present position in relation to where he wants to be. He must do that now, as he does not have the luxury of time.
