Alan Thompson (canoeist)
Encyclopedia
Alan Thompson (born 14 June 1959 in Gisborne
, New Zealand
) is a sprint canoer
who competed in the early to mid 1980s. Competing in three Summer Olympics, he won both of his gold medals at Los Angeles
in 1984
, earning them in the K-1 1000 m and K-4 1000 m events.
Thompson also won four medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with a gold (K-2 500 m: 1985
), two silvers (K-1 1000 m and K-2 500 m: both 1982
), and a bronze (K-1 1000 m: 1983
).
After retiring from top-level canoeing Thompson became a coach, selector and manager for New Zealand canoeing teams and eventually became president of the New Zealand Canoeing Federation.
Gisborne, New Zealand
-Economy:The harbour was host to many ships in the past and had developed as a river port to provide a more secure location for shipping compared with the open roadstead of Poverty Bay which can be exposed to southerly swells. A meat works was sited beside the harbour and meat and wool was shipped...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
) is a sprint canoer
Canoe racing
This article discusses canoe sprint and canoe marathon, competitive forms of canoeing and kayaking on more or less flat water. Both sports are governed by the International Canoe Federation ....
who competed in the early to mid 1980s. Competing in three Summer Olympics, he won both of his gold medals at Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1984
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
, earning them in the K-1 1000 m and K-4 1000 m events.
Thompson also won four medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with a gold (K-2 500 m: 1985
1985 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
The 1985 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships were held in Mechelen, Belgium.The men's competition consisted of six Canadian and nine kayak events. Three events were held for the women, all in kayak....
), two silvers (K-1 1000 m and K-2 500 m: both 1982
1982 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
The 1982 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships were held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia for the record fourth time. The Yugoslavian city had host the championships previously in 1971, 1975, and 1978....
), and a bronze (K-1 1000 m: 1983
1983 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
The 1983 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships were held in Tampere, Finland for the second time. The Finnish city had host the championships previously in 1973.The men's competition consisted of six Canadian and nine kayak events...
).
After retiring from top-level canoeing Thompson became a coach, selector and manager for New Zealand canoeing teams and eventually became president of the New Zealand Canoeing Federation.