Earl John Thomson (February 15, 1895 - April 19, 1971) was Canadian athlete, a specialist in the high hurdles. Born in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, Thomson moved to southern California at age 8, because the warm weather would be better for his mother. His family never applied for American citizenship, and when he applied to be on the Canadian team for the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, he was gladly put on the Canadian team, because Thomson had become one of the top hurdlers in the US. In 1918, he had already won the AAU championships in the high hurdles, and in 1920, he set a new world record in the 110 m hurdles, running 14.4. This record would remain unbeaten until 1931, although it was equalled a number of times. At the Olympics, Earl Thomson won a clear victory over his American rivals. The following year, Thomson equalled his own world record, and won the AAU, IC4A and NCAA championships. He retired after his third AAU title, in 1922. Later, Thomson became a track and field coach, coaching the team of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland for 36 years. He died in Annapolis, aged 76.
