Cyril Thomas

Cyril Thomas is an Associate Researcher and participating lecturer in sports history at the Department of Sports Science (STAPS) of Jean Monnet University in Saint-Etienne, France. He completed his PhD in History at L-VIS research laboratory in 2021 with a thesis examining the vulnerability of East African long-distance athletes resulting from the adoption of Western training methods.

His research focuses on postcolonial relations between Kenya and France in the context of long-distance athletics. Using archival research, semi-structured interviews, and ethnographic surveys conducted in Kenya, Dr. Thomas analyzes how interdependent relationships have developed between these two nations despite the absence of colonial ties. His work sits at the intersection of sports history, postcolonial studies, and international relations.

Dr. Thomas has published multiple articles in prominent sports history journals examining the historical evolution of Kenya-France athletic relations from 1960 to the present. His research reveals how colonial power dynamics continue to influence contemporary sports administration while Kenyan athletic dominance creates new vulnerabilities for French performance. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the power dynamics, historical development, and postcolonial implications of international athletics relations.

As an educator, Dr. Thomas has served as a specialist teacher in SEGPA and EREA programs since 2015 while teaching undergraduate sports history courses at Jean Monnet University. His teaching and research demonstrate a strong commitment to understanding the complex historical and political dimensions of international athletics.