Thompson described as a boxer waiting to get into the ring by sports commentators, broke out of the blocks with the fastest reaction time of 0.133 seconds between the sprinters.

Neck and neck with Bolt for the first 30 metres, Thompson kept his composure to hold off Walter Dix from the USA by 0.02 seconds to take silver and put Trinidad and Tobago in the medal standing. Speaking to reporters after the race, Thompson says he is happy, it's his first time in the Olympics and he is happy to be a part of a phoneomenal race. Burns was not so fortunate and only managed to place seventh.

The race however belonged to Jamaica's Usain Bolt who in the process of giving Jamaica their first 100m Olympic Gold Medal, smashed the World Record knocking 0.03 seconds off of it. Asafa Powell who was expected to be among the medallist could only finish in fifth position in a time of 9.95 seconds.