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or many, Daley Sheffield, Gateshead, Uxbridge advise some of ’s most kids with loads of talent, Thompson is the and Manchester left the promising young athletes on ambition and potential to be F greatest of British seminars, Thompson’s legend how to make it to the very top. world class. But this is the athletes – his back-to-back had been successfully handed Commenting on his role, hardest place in the world to Olympic Gold medals in the down to the next generation Daley said: “It is wonderful to make a living and only the best , coupled with his of aspiring athletes. Now 48, be able to offer these children survive. If you consider that cheeky whistling along with the Thompson was appointed by some advice and pass on a 1,600 kids took part in the National Anthem as the Union UK Athletics as a mentor to little of what I have learnt English Schools Championships Flag was raised in Los Angeles work with Britain’s best junior about success in sport. The this summer, only around 10 of in 1984, not only raised the athletes earlier this year – an Sainsbury’s ‘Future those will become international profile of the event around the inspired choice. Champions’ seminars are all athletes and possibly only one World but also guaranteed him The Sainsbury’s-sponsored about giving our children an Olympian.” a place in the hearts and minds seminars invited 50 of the UK’s every chance of reaching their The difference between of the nation. most talented young athletes to full potential and there’s no success and missing out, he For many of the teenagers find out what it takes to be a doubt that many of them said, is having the right attitude: attending one of the four world-class athlete and included could be stars of the future.” “I went to only two parties a ESAA future champions training sessions led by Certainly for the teenagers year – all I wanted was to run seminars held this summer, Thompson as well as lectures attending the seminars, the faster, jump higher and throw however, this was a long time on nutrition, psychology, chance to be coached and further. Athletics was the most ago. Most had surfed the net motivation and preparation. advised by Daley Thompson important thing in my life. I and been justifiably awed and As part of its’ Active Kids was an incredible experience. trained for eight hours a day, impressed at the Decathlete’s schools programme, Sainsbury’s But the great man left them in 350 days a year. It was what I achievements. is supporting the English no doubt about just how hard it loved doing. I was a full-time And by the time the Schools Athletics Association at is to succeed at the highest athlete from the age of 16 and youngsters present at all levels and had asked Daley to level: “I think we have a lot of never had a job in my life.” Daley’s ‘future champions’

PE&ST reports from the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) future champions seminar in Manchester, where youngsters had the chance to spend the day with one of the greatest athletes of all time – Daley Thompson…

52 PE & Sport Today • Autumn 2006 Medal record

Olympics Men’s Athletics Gold 1980 Moscow Decathlon Gold 1978 Edmonton Decathlon Gold 1984 Los Angeles Decathlon Gold 1982 Brisbane Decathlon Gold 1986 Edinburgh Decathlon European Championships Silver 1986 Edinburgh 4x100m Silver 1978 Prague Decathlon Gold 1982 Athens Decathlon World Championships Gold 1986 Stuttgart Decathlon Gold 1983 Helsinki Decathlon

Francis Morgan Thompson, CBE (born 30 July 1958 in London)

Thompson won consecutive gold medals at the 1980 and 1984 nervelessly whistled God Save the Queen after receiving his and broke the world record for the event four gold medal in 1984. Afterwards, he famously sent a message to times. His best score in the event was set in the 1984 Olympic friends back home via a TV interview by showing his medal and competition at 8847 points, a world record that stood for nine saying I’ve got the Big G, boys – the Big G! years and an Olympic record that stood for 20 years until the Sometimes his behaviour caused offence, not least when he Czech athlete Roman Sebrle scored 8893 points in the 2004 refused to carry the English Flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens. , claiming that the effort required He competed for an unprecedented third Olympic decathlon participating in the four-and-a-half hour ceremony would reduce gold at the1988 Seoul Olympics but was severely hampered by his chances of winning his event. He won the BBC Sports injury and could only finish fourth. Thompson was the first Personality of the Year award the same year. Making his acceptance athlete to simultaneously hold Olympic, Commonwealth, speech during the live broadcast of the programme Thompson European and World titles in a single event. uttered an obscenity, which caused media comment. Despite this, .. His rivalry with German athlete Jurgen Hingsen was he was awarded the OBE in 1983, followed by a CBE in 2000. legendary in the sport throughout the 1980s. The pair Since retiring from athletics in 1992, Thompson has been consistently traded world records but Thompson always had the associated with various football clubs and also had stints as a upper hand in the major events, remaining undefeated in all television presenter. However, he will always be remembered as competitions for nine years between 1979 and 1987. one of the world’s greatest ever athletes, who single-handedly He was a natural showman who endeared himself to the transformed the decathlon from obscurity to an event of British public with his irreverent personality, notably when he national and international interest.

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