Fred Thompson

Frederick Haughton "Rangi" Thompson (31 March 1908 – 15 December 1971) was a New Zealand rower who represented his country at one Olympic and two British Empire Games, winning a medal at each. Biography Born in Christchurch on 31 March 1908, Thompson was the son of Ellen and Frederick Thompson. A member of the Avon Rowing Club, he began rowing in 1926. Thompson represented New Zealand at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario. He was a member of the men's eight that won the silver medal, finishing three-quarters of a length behind the victorious English crew. At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Thompson was a member of the New Zealand crews in the men's coxless pair and the men's eight. Partnered with Cyril Stiles in the coxless pair, he progressed to the final via the repêchage, and went on to win the silver medal. They finished half a length behind the gold medal crew from Great Britain after breaking a stay on the stroke rigger 600 m from the end of the race. The New Zealand eight was eliminated in the repêchage.