Kishane Thompson eyes major improvement after Olympic silver in 100m sprint

Jamaican sprinter reflects on Paris 2024 and looks ahead to a stronger season.

Kishane Thompson of Jamaica competes in the third semifinal of the men's 100m at the Olympic Games at Stade de France in Paris, France, on August 4, 2024. Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Kishane Thompson eyes major improvement after Olympic silver in 100m sprint, marking a new chapter in his career as one of Jamaica’s brightest emerging stars. The 23-year-old shocked the athletics world with his near-win at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he clinched the silver medal in the 100 metres by a razor-thin margin of 0.005 seconds behind American sprinter Noah Lyles.

But for Thompson, the moment isn’t just about the medal—it's about what comes next.

Speaking candidly with AFP in a recent interview, the soft-spoken yet intensely focused athlete made one thing clear: he’s not dwelling on what might have been. “It’s gone and passed,” he said of the Olympic final. “I can’t look back. I mean, I can reflect on my mistakes. I know what I could have done better, what I’ve done wrong, but it doesn’t help if I’m going to be angry. I’ve just got to accept it and move on.”

That sense of maturity is impressive for someone who was relatively unknown coming into 2024. Just months before the Olympics, Thompson was barely a footnote in sprinting conversations. But that all changed at the Jamaican national championships, where he clocked an electrifying 9.77 seconds—making him the fastest man in the world for that year.

From underdog to silver medallist

Thompson's Olympic performance stunned fans and commentators alike. The race was so close that multiple broadcasters initially declared him the winner before the official timing confirmed Lyles had edged him out by five thousandths of a second. Still, the silver medal was no small feat for a sprinter in just his first full year at the senior level.

“Honestly, it’s a big stepping stone,” Thompson said of the experience. “It has a lot to do with my progress to being a better person and a better athlete.”

His reflections point to a young man deeply aware of the journey ahead. The silver medal may have elevated his profile, but Thompson sees it as just the beginning—a marker of potential rather than a peak achievement.

Following his breakout year, Thompson has made deliberate changes to his training regimen. Gone is the typical approach of easing into the season with local outdoor meets. Instead, he launched 2025 with two indoor 60m races, one of which took him all the way to Astana, Kazakhstan, in January.

There, he maneuvered his long, lanky frame to victory against a strong international field—a win that not only boosted his confidence but also showed his versatility. “It’s not perfect,” Thompson admitted when asked about his preparation. “The only perfection that I can see is me improving.”

Those words underscore his mindset: perfection isn’t a static goal, but a moving target—defined by continuous growth.

Much of Thompson’s development has taken place under the careful watch of Stephen Francis, one of Jamaica’s most successful and enigmatic sprint coaches. At MVP Track and Field Club in Kingston, Thompson trains alongside some of the sport’s biggest names, including two-time women’s world 200m champion Shericka Jackson.

The club environment, steeped in elite performance and no-nonsense discipline, is a breeding ground for champions. For Thompson, it’s the perfect backdrop to sharpen his skills and feed off the energy of seasoned competitors.

“Training with people like Shericka is motivating,” he said. “You see how hard they work, how consistent they are, and it pushes you to rise to that level.”

Managing expectations and pressure

One of the challenges Thompson now faces is managing the weight of expectations. No longer flying under the radar, he enters the 2025 season as a medal favorite in every race he runs. That can be both empowering and daunting.

“I try not to think about the pressure,” he explained. “I focus on what I can control—my effort, my recovery, my mindset. I’ve got a team around me that helps me stay grounded.”

That team includes not only Francis and the MVP staff but also sports psychologists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. Together, they help Thompson stay focused on what matters most: performance.

With the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon, Thompson has already circled the event on his mental calendar. Though he speaks humbly about his progress, there’s a fire in his eyes when asked about the chance to become world champion.

“Everybody wants gold,” he said. “But for me, it’s about execution. If I run my race and do everything right, I believe I can win.”

That belief is no longer just youthful optimism. It’s supported by results, preparation, and a mental game that continues to evolve. Thompson’s journey from unknown to Olympic silver medallist is a story of grit, focus, and quiet confidence.

As the outdoor season kicks into high gear, Thompson will face stiffer competition and a busier schedule. But if the past year is any indication, he’s ready for the challenge. He may have started 2024 as an underdog, but he’s ending it as a contender—someone the world will be watching closely in every race.

And yet, despite the spotlight, Thompson remains grounded. “I’m grateful,” he said. “It’s been a great year, but there’s more to do. This is just the beginning.”

With that, Kishane Thompson eyes major improvement after Olympic silver in 100m sprint—and the world is watching to see just how far he can go.