Tommy Hampson
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Thomas Hampson (28 October 1907 – 4 September 1965) was an English athlete, winner of the 800 metres at the 1932 Summer Olympics and the first man to run 800 metres in under 1 minute 50 seconds.
Biography
Hampson, a native of Clapham (London), didn't take up running seriously until the last year of his studies at Oxford University. After completing his education, he became a teacher in 1930 (at St Albans School). That same year, he became the national 880 yards champion after winning the British AAA Championships title at the 1930 AAA Championships.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Also a winner at the inaugural British Empire Games,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> he retained his title at the 1931 AAA Championships.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Hampson was one of the world's leading runners in the 800 metres and half-mile event and won the 880 yards title again at the 1932 AAA Championships, as well as finishing second behind Crew Stoneley in the 440 yards.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Shortly afterwards he was selected to represent Great Britain at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and was one of the favourites for the 800 metre gold. In the final, Hampson fought off Canadian Alex Wilson to break the tape in 1.49.7, a new world record.
He added a second Olympic medal with the British 4 × 400 metres relay team, which came second to the United States. Hampson ended his sports career later that year. Several years later, he left his teaching job to become an educator in the Royal Air Force, a job he kept until after World War II.
In 1954, Hampson moved to Stevenage, Hertfordshire, and joined the Stevenage Development Corporation as Social Relations Officer.<ref name="Hampson Park History">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="The Comet">Template:Cite news</ref> He was a warden at the church of St Mary in the town, and after he died at the age of 57, he was buried there.<ref name="The Comet" /> Hampson Park in the town was later named after him.<ref name="Hampson Park History" />
References
External links
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- 1907 births
- 1965 deaths
- People from Clapham
- Athletes from the London Borough of Lambeth
- English men middle-distance runners
- British men middle-distance runners
- English Olympic competitors
- Olympic athletes for Great Britain
- Olympic gold medallists for Great Britain
- Olympic silver medallists for Great Britain
- Olympic gold medalists in athletics
- Olympic silver medalists in athletics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1932 Summer Olympics
- Medalists at the 1932 Summer Olympics
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists for England
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1930 British Empire Games
- World record setters in the sport of athletics
- Royal Air Force personnel of World War II
- Medallists at the 1930 British Empire Games
- 20th-century English sportsmen
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists in athletics