Jessica Thompson (swimmer)

Thompson was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. She attended St Stithians Girls' College, a school noted for its strong aquatic program.^[3] In August 2025, it was announced that she had committed to the University of Virginia (UVA) in the United States. She is set to join the "Cavaliers" swimming program for the 2026–2027 season as part of a high-profile international recruiting class.^[5]

Thompson's international breakthrough occurred at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago. She won the gold medal in the 50m butterfly, twice breaking the championship record previously held by Olympian Erin Gallagher to finish in 26.84 seconds.^[6]

In May 2025, at the African Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo, Thompson was named the Best Female Swimmer of the meet.^[7] She broke the African Junior records in the 100m freestyle (57.49) and the 100m backstroke (1:02.51), ultimately helping South Africa top the medal table with eight total medals (five individual gold).^[8][9]

At the 2025 South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg, Thompson won five gold medals.^[10] During the meet, she clocked 26.85 seconds in the 50m backstroke, breaking a 16-year-old South African record and equalling the African record held by Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry.^[11][12]

On 20 March 2026, competing at the South African National Youth Championships in Gqeberha, Thompson established herself as a global contender. She broke the African and South African long-course records in the 50m backstroke with a time of 27.67 seconds, lowering the previous mark of 27.91.^[2] This performance moved her to 9th in the world rankings for the 2026 season.