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Last edited by Ajaysingh9119 (talk | contribs) 43 days ago. (Update) |
O. L. Thomas (Thomas Olakkengal Louis) is a legendary figure in Indian athletics, renowned as the fastest man in India during the 1960s and 1970s. Born on July 13, 1946, in Pavaratty, Kerala, into a Christian family, he showed a passion for sprinting, particularly the 100m dash, from an early age. His interest in athletics led him to train under a local coach, where he quickly mastered the fundamentals of sprint running. A dedicated and sharp learner, Thomas honed his skills early on and became nearly unbeatable for over 13 years in 100m sprint events, while Milkha Singh dominated the 400m race during the same period.
Early Life and Education: O. L. Thomas attended St. Joseph High School, Pavaratty, and later pursued a Diploma in Athletics Coaching at NSNIS Eastern Centre, Kolkata, in 1983.
Athletic Achievements: Renowned as India's fastest man during the 1960s and 1970s, Thomas was a key member of the Indian 4x100m relay team that won a bronze medal at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games, setting a national record with a time of 40.9 seconds. He also secured a bronze medal in the 100m race at the 1979 Asian Track & Field Championships in Tokyo.
Professional Career: Thomas served in the Indian Air Force from 1964 to 1972 before joining Tata Motors, where he worked from 1972 to 1975. In 1975, he became a sports officer at IISCO Steel Plant, Burnpur, where he worked until his retirement in 2006.
Coaching Contributions: Thomas trained numerous national-level athletes in Burnpur, Asansol, West Bengal. His innovative and international-level training techniques were ahead of their time. Despite a lack of sufficient support, he remained dedicated to fostering athletic talent, although he was unable to produce athletes at the Asian or Olympic level. [[|frame|center|O L Thomas in 2023 ]]