Matt Maher: How Kristian Thomas flipped into new career path

For Wolverhampton gymnastics legend Kristian Thomas, the answer arrived in helping ensure the next generation find their journey to the Games just as fulfilling as his own.

Thomas, part of the British men’s team which claimed an historic bronze medal at London 2012, lets out a little chuckle when admitting his role as engagement officer with the British Athletes Commission isn’t quite what he envisaged doing after first deciding to step out of the gym four years ago, aged just 27.

But while the chief stresses these days might be on the mind rather than the muscles, it is proving rewarding.

“I was always keen to stay involved in elite sport when I retired but I was never quite sure how,” he explains.

“My initial idea was to get into sport science. I went and did a strength and conditioning degree at the University of Wolverhampton and got first-class honours, which I’m really proud of.

“But then this opportunity cropped up and I thought, why not? It is the same as anything else, if you are enjoying something you just tend to crack on. Before you know it I’ve been doing this now for 18 months now. It’s gone by in the blink of an eye.”

Formed in 2004, the BAC is an independent body representing the interests of more than 1,300 athletes across all 40 Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Thomas’s job is to both ensure those athletes have a voice and receive all the support they are entitled to, from legal advice to mental health services. while also ensuring they are kept informed of developments important to their sport and the Games in general.

Clearly, it is the kind of role which only gets busier as an Olympics looms closer into view. Yet the pandemic has thrown up issues neither Thomas, or anyone else, could have imagined when he first agreed to take the job.

“First you had the postponement of the Games last year. Then at one stage there were question marks over whether they would go ahead at all,” he says.

“There were so many rumours flying around. During that time it was important to make sure we were getting all the important information to athletes, making sure they are getting consistent messages and not just hearsay.

“This hasn’t been a typical year, obviously. The IOC are currently putting out different playbooks as to what the Games are going to look like, various rules in terms of how long athletes can stay in the village, or mix in public. It is making sure we understand that and give athletes the support they might need.

“Athletes have gone through a lot more than they would have done at any other time. From the first lockdown and the uncertainty of whether the Games would be going ahead, to the fact they are now going ahead but there are going to be challenges. There have been so many knock-on effects.”

Away from the pandemic, Thomas has recently been involved in consultation with athletes on the rules around political protest. As things stand, the IOC is set to maintain a ban on taking the knee or protesting against human rights while on the podium.

“It is all about finding out what the athletes’ views are and making sure they are being heard,” says Thomas who, despite the BAC’s wide-ranging remit, is the only athlete engagement officer on the books.

“I guess if we had all the money in the world, we would have more people in my kind of role. But you work with what you have,” he reflects.

“It is challenging but I think in the main we do a good job and support athletes with what we have. I enjoy the variety. You never know what issues are going to crop up. Typical working days are Monday to Friday but if athletes need help at a weekend or on a bank holiday we are there.

“When I first started the job was three days a week. Now I’m full-time. That probably tells you a lot.”

All being well, Thomas will be in Tokyo this summer to offer first-hand support to athletes. It will be his third Olympics and memories of competing in London and Rio still burn bright. Now living in Cannock with his wife and their cocker spaniel puppy Otto, he still gets frequently stopped in the supermarket.

“It is nice to have that recognition because when I think of London and what we achieved, it is obviously something I am very proud of,” he says. “It is nice other people were part of that and still remember it.”

Still aged just 32, Thomas is keeping an open mind about the future.

“After Rio I did a lot of going into schools speaking about my experiences and I really enjoyed it,” he says.

“But I’m aware things like that – doing jumps and flips over kids – probably has a bit of a shelf life. I have been retired four years now and I am not sure the body appreciates being shunted into doing those things anymore without training! Gymnastics is one of those sports where you lose a lot very quickly.

“I try to maintain the basics. After 20-odd years you get used to hanging upside down. It will always be part of me.

“But I retired for a reason. Where this role with the BAC leads I am not sure though to be honest, I can only see us growing as an organisation. The demand for it now – athletes want to have a voice. They want to be part of the decisions and process. We are the body to support them. That is great because I want to be part of that, part of positive change.”