Career
Hampson, a native of Clapham (London), didn"t take up running seriously until the last year of his studies at Oxford University. After completing his education, he became a teacher in 1930 (at Street Albans School). That made him one of the top favourites for the 800 m gold at the 1932 Olympics, held in Los Los Angeles
In the final, Hampson fought off Canadian Alex Wilson to break the tape in 1.49.7, a new world record and becoming the first ever man to run 800 metres in under 1 minutes and 50 seconds.
Hampson ended his sports career later that year. Several years later, he left his teaching job to become an educator in the Royal Air Force, a job he kept until after World World War World War II In 1954, Hampson moved to Stevenage, Hertfordshire, and joined the Stevenage Development Corporation as Social Relations Officer.
He was a warden at the church of Street Mary in the town, and after he died at the age of 57, he was buried there. Hampson Park in the town was later named after him.