) Thompson at the 1948 Olympics | |||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | April 6, 1921 Frankfort, South Dakota, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Died | December 25, 2013 (aged 92) Long Beach, California, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Southern California.[1] | ||||||||||
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||
| Weight | 89 kg (196 lb) | ||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||
| Event(s) | Shot put, discus throw | ||||||||||
| Club | ILAAC, Los Angeles | ||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | SP – 17.12 m (1948) DT – 46.89 m (1942)[2][3] | ||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||
.svg.png "Gold medal – first place"){kind=icon}
Wilbur Marvin "Moose" Thompson (April 6, 1921 – December 25, 2013) was an American shot putter who won a gold medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
While studying at Modesto Junior College, Thompson won the national junior college title in 1939 and 1940. He then served in the US Army during World War II, and in 1946 placed second at the NCAA championships. He held a world ranking of #6 in 1947, #2 in 1948, #3 in 1949 and #4 in 1950. Thompson graduated with a master's degree in petroleum engineering and later worked in the oil production and at the California State Lands Commission.[2] He died aged 92 and was survived by three daughters.[4]
His grandson, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, is a professional quarterback in the Canadian Football League.
References
- ^ USC OLYMPIANS: 1904–2004, USC Trojans Athletic Department, Accessed August 13, 2008.
- ^ a b Wilbur Thompson. sports-reference.com
- ^ Wilbur Thompson. trackfield.brinkster.net
- ^ Former Olympic Champion, USC Track And Field Star Wilbur Thompson Dies. CBS Los Angeles (December 31, 2013)