Reflecting on his childhood, Daley Thompson recalls believing he could be Superman. “As you mature, life tends to smooth out those youthful aspirations,” he states, “but that never happened to me. I’ve consistently pursued my goals. I’ve been incredibly fortunate.”
However, luck may not be the most accurate descriptor. In the 1980s, Thompson achieved remarkable success in the decathlon, securing two Olympic gold medals and setting the world record four times while remaining undefeated for an impressive nine-year span. His journey was marked by the triumph over self-doubt, which he faced just like any of his competitors. This success was not merely due to luck; it stemmed from his exceptional talent and relentless determination.
Thompson’s commitment to his sport was unparalleled, with a training regimen that surpassed typical expectations. He trained 20 times a week and famously responded to his German rival Jürgen Hingsen’s Christmas Day workout by doubling his own training sessions that day.
During that period, millions of Britons viewed Thompson as a modern-day superhero, earning the title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1982 and celebrating his victories. It remains puzzling why, unlike other British multi-event Olympic champions—Dame Mary Peters, Dame Denise Lewis, and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill—Thompson has not been honored with a knighthood.
When asked if he wishes he had been knighted, Thompson responds, “Not really. While it would be nice and meaningful for those who supported me, it wouldn’t change my life in any significant way.”
Regarding the lack of a knighthood, he admits, “I have absolutely no idea. Honors like that are nice to have, but if they are beyond your control, there’s little point in worrying about them.”
Despite his calm demeanor, some speculate that the controversy surrounding his second Olympic gold in 1984 may have influenced the honors committee’s decision. Following his victory, Thompson caused a stir by whistling the national anthem and wearing a T-shirt at a press conference that jokingly asked, “Is the world’s second greatest athlete gay?”—a nod to Carl Lewis. This was compounded by his comment about wanting to have Princess Anne’s children.
Charlie Burgess of the Guardian foresaw the fallout, writing, “Bang goes Daley Thompson’s chance of a knighthood.” The backlash was significant enough that the Royal Family issued a statement declaring it “absurd” to believe Princess Anne had taken offense.
When discussing the incident, Thompson acknowledges the cultural differences of the time. “Would I do it now? That’s the question,” he reflects, ultimately concluding, “No, of course not. Times have changed.” He adds that Princess Anne herself was not offended. “The truth is, she was fine with it. It was a case of faux outrage.”
There remains potential for the honors committee to reconsider, given Thompson’s outstanding contributions to athletics and his unwavering patriotism. A powerful documentary about his life, released two years ago, highlighted his resilience despite a challenging upbringing. Raised by his Scottish mother, who worked multiple jobs and relied on food banks, Thompson faced significant adversity after losing his Nigerian father to violence at the age of 13. Nevertheless, he refused to let these hardships derail his ambitions.
Now at 68, Thompson continues to achieve milestones, recently becoming the first British athlete to hold a national record for 50 years. This record, set in September 1976 in Talence, France, surpassed Peter Gabbett’s previous mark by four points. Was this when Thompson realized his potential for greatness?
Financial support for aspiring athletes was scarce during his early years. “A man named Tom McNab once asked Adidas to send me shoes because I couldn’t afford them,” Thompson recalls. “That gesture made a lasting impression on me. It felt like someone believed in my potential.”
After achieving two Bs and a C in A-Level biology, geography, and general science, Thompson quickly gained recognition. He competed in the Montreal Olympics, finishing 18th, and shortly after, he set the British record.
However, for many years, Thompson earned little as decathletes were not highly valued. It wasn’t until the launch of “Daley Thompson’s Decathlon,” a popular computer game that sold over a million copies, that he began to see financial success.
Thompson laughs when reminded of the damage caused by the game. “You’re the first person to mention it today,” he chuckles. “Since 1984, I’ve been approached daily by someone claiming I owe them a keyboard. I could be on a train, and someone would traverse the entire carriage just to tell me that.”
He also finds humor in the fact that there has never been a video game about his close friend, Sebastian Coe, who he believes has excellently revived athletics since becoming president of World Athletics in 2015. “That’s absolutely true,” he laughs. “It’s because they knew how dull he was. And don’t forget, I had a statue in Madame Tussauds, while he never did!”
