Thompson was the fifth of seven children of David and Margaret Thompson. She was born in Toronto, but her family later moved to Hamilton and then to Penetanguishene. In 1924 her mother died in a car accident. Thompson started training in athletics in 1925, soon after enrolling to Penetang High School, and already in 1928 won the national title in the 800 m, setting a world record and qualifying for the Olympics.[2]
Despite her small size, she also competed in throwing, and in 1929 won national titles in the shot put, discus throw and in the long jump; she also won competitions in the 100 yd, 220 yd, high jump and javelin throw. In 1930 she graduated from the Margaret Eaton School of Physical Education and later worked at a brokerage firm. In 1933[6] she married Roderick Barker, a Bell Telephone District manager; they later settled in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec.[2][ In 1987, Jean Thompson was posthumously inducted into the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame.]
Her great-nephew, Russ Howard, is a retired Olympic curler.[2]
References
1. ^1 2 3 4 David Dupuis. Penetanguishene’s First Olympic Star. pshof.ca
2. ^1 Archives of Ontario, Registrations of Marriages, RG 80-05-0-2154, registration number G5103. [https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/7921/45716_83024005548_1615-00638 Archived]
3. ^1 Archives of Ontario, Registrations of Births and Stillbirths, Series MS929, Reel 208, Page 274. [https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/8838/31527_211833-00354 Archived]
. sports-reference.com