IPC mourns loss of boccia athlete Jacob Thomas

The British athlete was one of the top players in the BC3 category 18 Aug 2020

El atleta masculino de Boccia usa un puntero para golpear la pelota con su asistente ajustando la rampa

Jacob Thomas represented his home country at the London 2012 Paralympics

ⒸGetty Images

By BISFed and IPC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of former boccia world No. 1 Jacob Thomas, who passed away peacefully over the weekend.

Thomas competed in his home Paralympic Games at London 2012, where he teamed up with Scott McCowan and Jessica Hunter in the BC3 pairs but fell short of making it to the semi-finals. However, he got his podium moment at the 2014 World Championships, helping Team Great Britain capture silver in the pairs and securing a bronze medal in the individual competition. He reached world No. 1 in his category in the 2015-2016 season and retired before the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

McCowan said: “His name will always be associated with putting us on the world map once again. I have so many great memories with him and his dad whether it be the incredible experience of London 2012, winning our first British major medal in so many years in Portugal (bronze at the 2013 European Championships), or winning the pairs silver medal together at the World Championships and I couldn’t have asked for a better person to share it with.”

Current world champion and No. 1 Greg Polychronidis from Greece described Thomas as his friend, a gentleman and one of the greatest boccia players.

BISFed President, David Hadfield said: “Jacob was a true inspiration to everyone who knew him. As a world class athlete, he achieved so much. He showed us all what is possible through his determination, his dedication and his unfailingly cheerful personality. He will be sadly missed.”