From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Curtis Thompson reached the podium in the javelin Friday at the Athletissima Diamond League meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, with the 3rd-best throw of his life.

Thompson threw 274-11 and placed third behind 2021 Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra of India (292-3) and 2021 Olympic silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic (281-9).

The 2014 Florence High School graduate, a 2021 Olympian and two-time U.S. champion, popped the 274-11 on his first attempt. His next-best throw was a 264-0 on his 5th attempt.

Thompson, No. 3 in U.S. history with his 287-9 at the American JavFest last month, has now thrown 273 feet or better four times in his life – all in the last seven weeks. And 16 of his 21-best throws have been this season.

Thompson finished about a foot and a half ahead of Keshorn Walcott, the 2012 Olympic champion from Trinidad and Tobago. He was 4th at 273-6.

Athletissima, one of the biggest track meets in the world, is held annually inside the sold-out La Pontaise Olympic Stadium in Lausanne, a historic village on the southern tip of Switzerland along Lake Geneva, which separates Switzerland from France.

Thompson also placed 3rd in his previous Diamond League meet – at Chorzów, Poland, on Aug. 6. He now has 12 Diamond League qualifying points, which ranks him 5^th with only one Diamond League meet left before the finals at the Weltklasse at Letzigrund in Zürich Sept. 7-8. The top six compete in Zurich.

Thompson is No. 8 in the world this year, No. 1 among American men and No. 50 in world history.

Here’s a look at Thompson’s 24 throws of at least 260 feet:

287- 9 … American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 9, 2022
276-4 … NACAC, Freeport Stadium, Grand Bahamas, Bahamas, Aug. 20, 2022
274-11 ¾ … Athletissima, La Pontaise, Lausanne, Switzerland, Aug. 26, 2022
273- 4 … American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 9, 2022
271-11… Olympic Trials, Hayward Field, Eugene, July 4, 2016
271- 7 … Olympic Trials, Hayward Field, Eugene, June 21, 2021
270- 3 … Kamila Skolimowska Memorial Invitational, Silesian Stadium, Chorzów, Poland, Aug. 6, 2022
269- 7 …American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 9, 2022
268- 1 … Oregon Relays, Hayward Field, Eugene, April 23, 2022
268- 1 … World Athletics Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, July 21, 2022
267- 4 … World Athletics Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, July 21, 2022
267- 2 … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 22, 2021
266- 5 … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 21, 2022
265-10 … American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 17, 2021
265-10 … Florida State Relays, Mike Long Track, Tallahassee, Fla., March 25, 2016
265- 7 … Victoria Track Classic, Centennial Stadium, Victoria, British Columbia, June 15, 2022
264- 8 … USATF Throws Festival, Roy P. Drachman Stadium, Tucson, Ariz., May 21, 2022
264- 1 … USATF Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, Ore., June 26, 2022
264-0 … Athletissima, La Pontaise, Lausanne, Switzerland, Aug. 26, 2022
263-10 … 94th annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, Mike A. Myers Stadium, Austin, Texas, March 25, 2022
261- 6 … Kamila Skolimowska Memorial Invitational, Silesian Stadium, Chorzów, Poland, Aug. 6, 2022
260-11 … American JavFest, East Stroudsburg [Pa.] South High School, July 30, 2016
260- 1 … NACAC Under-23, San Salvador, Estadio Jorge “Mágico” González, June 17, 2016
260-1 … NACAC, Freeport Stadium, Grand Bahamas, Bahamas, Aug. 20, 2022