Donald Thomas, who has one of the most unique starts to his sport, competed for the Bahamas in the high jump competition at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
In the Olympic preliminary round, Thomas passed on the first height and cleared 2.15m and 2.20m on his first try. However, he missed all three attempts at 2.25m and finished tied for 21st in the competition.
Thomas was competing in the Olympics less than three years after trying the high jump on a dare at Lindenwood. Thomas was JV basketball player who was challenged by a member of the track and field team that he could not clear 6’6” in the high mark. He attempted the high jump and cleared seven feet.
Two days later, wearing sneakers and gym shorts, Thomas was a member of the Lions track and field team and he shattered a 13-year old meet record at Eastern Illinois. Less than two months after taking up the sport, he finished second at the NAIA National Indoor Championship and helped the Lions win the national title.
After graduating in 2006 from Lindenwood, Thomas used his final year of eligibility at Auburn, where he won a national championship at the 2007 NCAA Division I Indoor Championships.
That fall, he made his mark nationally by winning the World Championship in Japan. Thomas was one of three athletes to clear 2.35m (7-8.25) at the event, but the only one to do so on his first attempt. He then won the gold medal after all three competitors failed to clear 2.37m.
