Tokyo 100m T38 champion missed out on a 2024 Paralympics podium by the narrowest of margins as he wishes coach was there for pre-race support
Thomas Young first burst on to the scene at 18 years old, capturing gold in both the T38 100m and 200m at the 2018 Para European Championships in Berlin. Building on that early success, he claimed Paralympic gold in Tokyo at just 21 and then began to prepare for a title defence in Paris.
However, on Saturday (August 31), the 23-year-old narrowly missed out on a 100m podium finish, placing fourth in a fiercely competitive race as he clocked 11.00 (0.9).
A world record of 10.64 was set by Jaydin Blackwell of the United States, who took gold. Blackwell’s team-mate, Ryan Medrano, secured silver, while a photo finish determined third, with Colombia’s Juan Alejandro Campas Sanchez edging out Young for bronze.
“It’s going to take time to process,” said Young. “I have really developed as an athlete in the last 15 months and I’ve put so much into working towards Paris which is what is really gutting about not winning a medal.
“It is tough right now but we will get there and I crossed the line injury free. I wasn’t a champion in Paris but the ambitions don’t change as we now work towards LA.
“It was still a fantastic race to be a part of. I knew going into it that it would take around 10.6/10.7 to win, and I would need to run sub 11 to get a medal. So everything which happened I had expected and I am just really upset I couldn’t be on the podium this time.
“It was an off day and me and my coach know that. I have seen my last 15 months of training but the whole world only sees me for 11 seconds so I know exactly where I am at and what I can work towards.”
Thomas Young (Getty)
At 12 years old, Young was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type one, a condition that can lead to non-cancerous tumours growing along the nerves and can affect coordination.
However, it wasn’t until he was 17 that he discovered his impairment qualified him to compete as a para-sprinter. This realisation came when his coach, Joe McDonnell, suggested it to him.
Since then, Young has continued training under McDonnell’s guidance, forming a bond that goes beyond just coach and athlete. “He knows exactly how I think, he knows how to speak to me, how to get me ready, and how to get me feeling less nervous,” said Young.
However, just before the final in Paris, Young began to experience cramp in his leg while in…
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