Wilbur Thompson

Wilbur Marvin "Moose" Thompson ( born April 6, 1921 in Frankfort, South Dakota, † December 25, 2013 ) was an American track and field athlete.

Career

Even in his time at Modesto Junior College, California, Wilbur Thompson was a talented shot putter and won in 1939 and 1940 national championships. In 1942 he was a member of the University of Southern California fifth in the NCAA Championships. After his return from the Second World War, he was able to advance into the U.S. peak.

After a second place finish at the NCAA Championships in 1946 Wilbur Thompson won the shot put at the 1948 Olympic Games in London. With a width of 17.12 meters he could his compatriots Jim Delaney ( 16.68 m) and Jim Fox ( 16.42 m) distance safely. The highest placed non- Americans was 15.43 m in 4th place of the poles Miecisław Lomowski. Twelve years after the Games in Berlin, when the Americans occupied the places 4-6 for the first time and stayed medaillenlos them so again managed a triple victory.

On July 28, 1949 Jim Fuchs presented with 17.79 meters on his first world record. In this competition Wilbur Thompson was second with 16.44 m. Wilbur Thompson was 1.83 m tall and weighed 89 kg in his playing days.

In 1953 he settled in Long Beach and was in the oil business as well as in the Commission responsible for the federal land ( California State Lands Commission) operates. Thompson was the father of three daughters. He died on December 25, 2013 at the age of 92 years.