You might not know the name Kishane Thompson just yet, but he is the fastest man in the world this year and a men’s 100m medal favourite in Paris. On Sunday at the Meeting Sport Solidarieta in Lignano, Italy, the Jamaican sprinter lost his first race of the season in a wholesome charity run against Special Olympians.
Thompson was on hand to race some of Italy’s top Special Olympians over 50 metres, and he was left in the dust by 51-year-old Denis Pertoldi. The Italian sprinter threw down a 9.57-second clocking, beating a jogging Thompson by four seconds. The 22-year-old was slow off the gun, giving Pertoldi a huge lead.
Kishane Thompson at Lignano helping to motivate others in the Special Olympics Race pic.twitter.com/J3aMYm0xX4
— Sevillians ontop (@HarveyW26350146) July 14, 2024
Jamaica’s Thompson holds the fastest men’s 100m this year with his 9.77-second clocking at the 2024 Jamaican Championships, which qualified him for his first Olympics. Heading into this charity race in Lignano, Thompson hadn’t lost a race this season, going four for four in his four starts.
Track and field fans were in awe of Thompson’s wholesome gesture on social media and the athleticism of the Special Olympic athletes. “How does anyone see this and not want the best for Kishane?” one user wrote. “Lane 1 ain’t come to play games,” wrote another.
According to multiple sportsbooks, the world 100m champion, Noah Lyles, is the odds-on favourite to win gold in the men’s 100m on Sunday, Aug. 4, coming in at +125. Jamaica’s Thompson (+250) and Oblique Seville (+360) only trail Lyles on the 100m odds board. However, Thompson’s 100m time of 9.77 seconds and Seville’s time of 9.82 seconds in the Jamaican Olympic Trials are both faster than Lyles’ best this season.
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