Undeterred, Thompson tried again for the 2024 Olympics. This time, he was chosen. A decade after his partnership with Team USA began, Thompson was invited to the 2024 Olympics. When he first learned he would attend the Games with USA Fencing, he was ecstatic. “To be honest, I was just overwhelmed and excited,” he shared. “Just getting that kind of confirmation that all of the hard work and time that I’ve put into this sport had led to this opportunity was really gratifying,” he shared. “I've been looking forward to it for a long time and definitely felt like it was something I was pursuing as a professional goal and just getting that kind of nod to know that [I was going] was just something I was really, really grateful for.”

During the Olympics, the average day for Thompson started with breakfast fixed by Team USA’s chefs, followed by the high-performance cadre coordinating their gear and appearance for the day to ensure the team looked as unified as possible before heading to the venue. Transportation would shift between the bus, shuttles, and train, but no matter which method of transport was used they always arrived well before the athletes did to ensure everything was ready for their arrival. Most days were spent at practices, lessons, and competitions where Thompson would provide whatever sports medicine care was requested or needed by the competitors.

While working at matches, Thompson was positioned just to the side of the fencing strip with a medical kit full of supplies, ready to spring into action. Common injuries included sprains, strains, cuts, and orthopedic injuries. “A lot of similar injuries that you’d see across sports you’ll see in fencing,” Thompson explained. “I would say the injuries that are probably the most unique to fencing that I would not have seen in other sports would be the grip issues. Whether it’s a standard grip with saber or the pistol grip with foil and épée, you’ll see a lot of overuse or chronic issues in this sport where the athletes grip a weapon for long periods of time throughout the day and that leads to some chronic or overuse issues.”

Over the course of the trip, Thompson watched the team succeed considerably while he helped ensure things ran smoothly and safely, in addition to encouraging and affirming the athletes when needed. Additionally, thanks to the trip Thompson got the chance to tour Paris, meet celebrities, and enjoy a wide variety of delicious meals. Having now gone to the Olympics, Thompson is glad to have achieved his goal, but also does not feel the need to go again.

Throughout his years as a professor and athletic trainer, Thompson has had many opportunities which helped shape his perception of the world, people, and himself. He has been blessed to translate these experiences back into the classroom and clinical care of IWU athletes. From working with elite athletes in state-of-the-art facilities to witnessing people living in poverty, his heart has been stretched for the Kingdom. His involvement with Team USA has given him many opportunities to share the Gospel to a global community to humbly reflect on how God has used him and this opportunity to accomplish His work. Additionally, because his professional field intersects with many individuals from other political, social, and religious backgrounds, he’s been able to demonstrate his faith to a variety of people. Thompson was able to thoroughly enjoy touring Paris while helping Team USA succeed, but the opportunity to show the love of Christ to those around him far exceeds the thrill of travel and Olympic experiences.

“I have been immensely blessed by the opportunities USA Fencing has provided me over the years. I will be forever grateful for how their investment in me has changed my life, as a husband and a father, a professor and a clinician, and as a man of faith. I have experiences and memories that will last a lifetime, and I’m not done yet!”