Daley Thompson

Daley Thompson married Trish and has three children with her. The two later separated. He currently lives with his girlfriend Lisa and has two children with her.

Daley Thompson was born on July 30, 1958 in Notting Hill, London to Frank Thompson and Lydia Thompson. His father was a taxi driver. Thompson lost his father at the age of twelve, when his father was shot dead in Streatham.

He gained his early education from Farney Close Boarding School, Bolney, Sussex. Early on, he aimed to make a career in football but switched to athletics soon after.

At the age of 14, he was introduced to a local athletics club, Haywards Health Harriers. Almost immediately, he carved an impression on the sports league, with everyone believing that he was born to be an athlete. He ranked fourth in the English Schools Intermediate 200m.

After completing his studies, Thompson left for London. In London, he signed up at the Newham & Essex Beagles Athletic Club, training as a sprinter. Under Bob Mortimer’s guidance, Thompson tried for decathlon. He competed in his first decathlon later that year in Cwmbran, Wales, which he won along with his next competition.

In 1976, Thompson was named in the British team for the Olympic Games in Montreal. He was not even 18 until then. He finished the game at the 18th position, being the youngest player to make a stand. Following year, he won the European Junior title and stood fifth in the Long Jump.

In 1978, Thompson gained the first of his three Commonwealth titles. He finished second at the European Championship in Prague. With every victory, Thompson’s confidence zoomed upwards.

Year 1980 marked the start of a glorious career record for Thompson. In one of the best track and field event in Gotzis, Austria, Thompson broke the decathlon world record with a score of 8648. He followed this with a comfortable win at the Moscow Olympics.

Thompson’s form dwindled in 1981 but he came back to his best at the Gotzis in May 1982 where he set yet another world record at 8730 points. Later in Brisbane the same year, he bagged his second Commonwealth title. He clutched his first European Championship gold medal the same year in Athens.

From 1978 to 1987 he remained an undefeated champion in all competitions. He won gold medals in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics and became the first athlete to hold the European, World, Commonwealth and the Olympics titles simultaneously.

In 1982, he was honoured as the member of Most Excellent Order of the British Empire title (MBE).

In 1986, he was awarded with the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) and in 2000 with the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).