Eric Ashley Thomas (December 1, 1973 – December 30, 2022) was an American

hurdler Hurdling is the act of jumping over an obstacle at a high speed or in a sprint. In the early 19th century, hurdlers ran at and jumped over each hurdle (sometimes known as 'burgles'), landing on both feet and checking their forward motion. Today ...

who represented his native country at the

2000 Summer Olympics The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, officially branded as Sydney 2000, and also known as the Games of the New Millennium, were an international multi-sport event held from 15 September to 1 October ...

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

, Australia. He set his personal best (47.94) in the men's 400 m hurdles event on June 13, 2000, in Rome, Italy.

Achievements

Later life and death

Eric Thomas founded Champion Trainers, LLC in 2005 to train young athletes for success in their chosen sports activities. Champion Trainers provides individualized fitness and athletic programs to improve endurance, speed, agility, flexibility, mechanics and overall performance. Thomas died on December 30, 2022, at the age of 49.Eric Thomas, Garrison native and one of world's best hurdlers, dies at 49
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Charity

The Eric Thomas Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, was organized to raise scholarship funds for youth who wish to pursue higher education and to improve the health and fitness of Texas youths. The Eric Thomas Foundation seeks to target high school athletes or students who would otherwise be unable to acquire financial assistance and support, and will make the dream of obtaining higher education a reality. The Eric Thomas Scholarship was presented to its first recipient at

Garrison A garrison is any body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it. The term now often applies to certain facilities that constitute a military base or fortified military headquarters. A garrison is usually in a city ...

High School on May 17, 2011.

References

External links

* * 1973 births 2022 deaths American male hurdlers Athletes (track and field) at the 2000 Summer Olympics Olympic track and field athletes for the United States People from Carthage, Texas Track and field athletes from Texas Junior college men's track and field athletes in the United States Athletes (track and field) at the 1999 Pan American Games Athletes (track and field) at the 2003 Pan American Games Medalists at the 1999 Pan American Games Medalists at the 2003 Pan American Games Pan American Games silver medalists for the United States in athletics (track and field) 20th-century American sportsmen {{US-hurdles-athletics-bio-stub