Jimmy Thoronka (born 6 June 1994) is a professional sprinter from Sierra Leone. He defected from his native country to live in England after competing in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. His mother and four siblings were killed by ebola, and he was arrested in March 2015 while living on the streets in London for "running while black".[1][2] He then had a legal battle with the government of the United Kingdom after his application to stay was rejected.[3]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 June 1994 |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | 60 metres, 100 metres |
In May 2018, he was allowed to stay in the UK.[4]
Major international competitions
edit| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Commonwealth Games | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 6th (Heat 1, Heats) | 4 × 100 m | 40.55[5] |
Domestic competitions
edit| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | United Kingdom Indoor Championships | Birmingham, United Kingdom | 5th (Heat 5, Heats) | 60m | 7.00 |
References
edit- ^ "From top sprinter to homeless in London – what happened next to Jimmy Thoronka?". the Guardian. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ "Top Sierra Leone athlete arrested after he was found living rough in London". TheGuardian.com.
- ^ "Jimmy Thoronka: Home Office rejects application to stay in UK". TheGuardian.com.
- ^ "Sierra Leonean athlete can stay in UK after three-year legal fight". TheGuardian.com.
- ^ Jimmy Thoronka at Tilastopaja (registration required)
- ^ Jimmy Thoronka at Tilastopaja (registration required)