Daley Thompson is a former British athlete who is widely regarded as one of the greatest decathletes of all time. He was born on July 30, 1958, in London, England, and he grew up in a family of six children. Thompson began his athletic career in the late 1970s, and he quickly established himself as a top decathlete.

He won his first major international medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada, where he took the silver medal behind Canadian athlete Bruce Jenner. Thompson's breakthrough year came in 1980, when he won his first Olympic gold medal at the Moscow Games. He followed this up with another gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where he set a new world record of 8,847 points. This record stood for nine years, until it was broken by American athlete Dan O'Brien in 1992. In addition to his Olympic success, Thompson also won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, four gold medals at the European Championships, and three gold medals at the World Cup. He was known for his incredible athleticism, strength, and endurance, and he was widely respected for his ability to perform at the highest level in multiple events. Off the track, Thompson was also known for his outgoing personality and his love of life.

Remember the video game, Daley Thompson's Decathlon that was released in 1984 for various home computer platforms, including the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC?

The game was based on the real-life decathlon events that Thompson had excelled at, and it allowed players to compete in all 10 events, including the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter run, 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and the 1,500-meter run.

The game was known for its simple yet addictive gameplay, and it quickly became a best-seller, with more than a million copies sold worldwide. It was also notable for its use of multiple joystick buttons, which was a relatively new feature at the time. How many joysticks or pads did you destroy playing this game?

Players controlled Thompson's on-screen athlete by using the joystick buttons to simulate the different movements and actions required for each event. For example, in the long jump event, players had to build up speed by tapping the button repeatedly, and then time their jump and angle of take-off to achieve the longest possible distance.

The game was well-received by critics and players alike, and it was praised for its realism, accuracy, and fun gameplay. It also helped to further cement Thompson's status as a sporting legend, and it remains a beloved classic among retro gaming enthusiasts to this day.

In addition to Daley Thompson's Decathlon, there have been several other video games featuring Thompson over the years, including Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge, which was released in 1988, and Daley Thompson's Supertest, which was released in 1990. These games continued to build on the success of the original and helped to further cement Thompson's legacy in the world of sports and gaming.

A mix of ultimate competitor who was often seen smiling and joking with teammates and competitors alike, he was admired for his ability to balance intense training with a fun-loving attitude. Since retiring from athletics, Thompson has remained involved in the sport as a commentator, coach, and mentor to younger athletes. He has also been involved in various charitable causes, including the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sport to support young people around the world. Overall, Daley Thompson's life has been marked by incredible athleticism, remarkable achievements, and a fun-loving spirit that has endeared him to fans around the world. He remains a beloved figure in the world of athletics, and his legacy as one of the greatest decathletes of all time is secure.

Thanks for the memories Daley. 

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