Don Thompson

 

Think of great British athletes with the name Thompson and you think of Daley and Tanni Grey, who have been famous in recent years. You might also remember, Ian Thompson, who was our best male marathon runner. Sadly, he didn't win the Olympic gold he should have done.

Few remember the diminutive Don Thompson, who died a few days ago. He won the gold in the 1960 Rome Olympics for the 50km walk, walking in a cap made by his mother, that resembled that of a French Foreign Legionaire. Stories at the time told of his training for the heat of Rome in his bathroom with an oil-heater and a kettle.

He was a one off and a man admired by many.

He will be sadly missed.