Eric Thomas (hurdler)

Summary

Eric Ashley Thomas (December 1, 1973 – December 30, 2022) was an American hurdler who represented his native country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He set his personal best (47.94) in the men's 400 m hurdles event on June 13, 2000, in Rome, Italy.[1]

Eric Thomas
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born(1973-12-01)December 1, 1973
Garrison, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 2022(2022-12-30) (aged 49)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Sport
Country United States
SportTrack and field
Event400 m hurdles
College teamBlinn College
Turned pro1995
Retired2007
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2003 Santo Domingo 400 m hurdles
Silver medal – second place 1999 Winnipeg 400 m hurdles

Achievements edit

Year Competition Venue Position Notes
1994 NJCAA Blinn College 1st 400 m hurdles
1996 Olympic Trials Atlanta, GA 4th 400 m hurdles
1999 Pan American Games Winnipeg, Canada 2nd 400 m hurdles
2000 Summer Olympics Sydney, Australia 9th 400 m hurdles
2003 Pan American Games Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 2nd 400 m hurdles
World Championships Paris, France 14th 400 m hurdles

Later life and death edit

Eric Thomas founded Champion Trainers, LLC in 2005 to train young athletes for success in their chosen sports activities. Champion Trainers provides individualized fitness and athletic programs to improve endurance, speed, agility, flexibility, mechanics and overall performance.

Thomas died on December 30, 2022, at the age of 49.[2][3]

Charity edit

The Eric Thomas Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, was organized to raise scholarship funds for youth who wish to pursue higher education and to improve the health and fitness of Texas youths. The Eric Thomas Foundation seeks to target high school athletes and/or students who would otherwise be unable to acquire financial assistance and support, and will make the dream of obtaining higher education a reality. The Eric Thomas Scholarship was presented to its first recipient at Garrison High School on May 17, 2011.

References edit

  1. ^ The Eric Thomas Story - PERSONAL TRAINING TO ACHIEVE YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS GOALS
  2. ^ Ato Boldon @AtoBoldon The track and field fraternity mourns the loss of USA 400mh Olympian Eric Thomas. He was 49. 🕊️ Ato Bolden
  3. ^ Eric Thomas, Garrison native and one of world's best hurdlers, dies at 49

External links edit

  • Eric Thomas at World Athletics  
  • Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Eric Thomas". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18.