Curtis Thompson of Florence placed 22nd in the javelin at the Olympic Games in Tokyo Wednesday morning.
Thompson, competing in the second group of 16 throwers, threw 256-6, 256-2 and 255-6 on his three attempts in the qualifying round.
Although it wasn’t the performance he was hoping for, Thompson had a spectacular 2021 season, with his second national title, his first Olympic Trials title, his best throw in five years and a chance to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games.
The top 12 throwers advanced to the finals on Saturday. The cut-off was 268-1 [81.73].
Thompson has thrown 268-1 twice – both times in the Olympic Trials, both times in Eugene. He threw 271-11 in 2016 an d 271-7 in June.
Thompson ranks No. 16 in U.S. history and ranks No. 22 in the world this year.
The other American in Tokyo, Michael Shuey, competing in Group A earlier in the evening, fouled on all three of his attempts.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 