Postcards From The Village: Thompson's Tokyo Blog
July 30, 2021 | Track & Field, Olympic Games
TOKYO, Japan – Former Mississippi State javelin thrower Curtis Thompson has made it to Tokyo for the Olympic Games. He gives an inside look at life in the Olympic Village while representing the United States.
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Stay tuned for more updates from Tokyo throughout the Games.
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July 29-30, 2021 – Five days before competition
I spent a very long day traveling starting with an awesome send off from my town in the morning while heading to the Philadelphia Airport. I had a connecting flight in Chicago before I got on my 13-hour long flight to Japan. The flight was not full as not many people are flying to Japan due to restrictions, so it was not crowded at all. The United flight attendants were so nice and made that 13-hour trip feel like nothing – even though I slept the first seven hours. When I landed, I had to go through customs, do a COVID test and then get on the bus to the Olympic Village. I landed at 4 p.m. Tokyo time and got to the Village at 9 p.m. I got to the room to be welcomed with two big suitcases full of more gear, and I was fortunate enough to get a bigger bed!Â
July 31, 2021 – Four days before competition
First night of sleep, first time eating breakfast at the cafeteria, first workout in Tokyo! A time of many firsts, and I'm soaking it all in! Today, I learned the food here is pretty good, and there are tons of options. They have food stations representing different parts of the world, which is amazing. I went to the training center for Team USA and had a great training session to shake off the flight. I got to train and be around the best of the best athletes as everyone prepares for their events.Â
August 1, 2021 – Three days before competition
A day to take in being in Tokyo! Not many people can say they have been to Tokyo, so I took the time to wander around and get lost in the experience. I sightsaw around the Olympic Village and looked out to the horizon to see the city skyline. What a beautiful sight to see! I even tried Japanese cuisine in the "casual dining hall" having a lil' piece of Wagu beef that I plan to go get another piece of. I went to the village plaza to see the shops and culture stations where they explain some Japanese culture, annd I got to end the night watching the events on TV. Due to COVID, we cannot go to the stadium and watch in person. One more sleep down and another day closer to qualifying!Â
August 4, 2021 – Competition Day
I woke up from the best night of sleep since I've been here – still getting use to the 13-hour time change from New Jersey – but I felt great and ready to compete. I started my day at 5:30 a.m. and went to the dining hall go eat breakfast. After that I got ready to head to the track in the hot and humid Tokyo weather. Warming up felt great. I read last-minute texts from some of you, and then the competition was under way. I was excited, hot and ready to throw. I finished 21st out of 32 of the best in the world. I can't be upset because I can feel all the love and support from everyone, and it truly means the world. So all the way from Tokyo, Japan, I want to send a HUGE thank you of appreciation.Stay tuned for more updates from Tokyo throughout the Games.
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Javelin
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