Why Elaine Thompson will not double in Qatar?
My heart leapt, and was made glad, to learn, that, young Briana Williams will be doubling at almost every single major track event, including the Jamaica National Senior Trials. Imagine, only 17 years old, yet taking on the workload for the 100m and 200m events. This is good for Briana. When you have been blessed with amazing talent, the coach must sweat the "asset". And, Coach Ato Boldon is doing exactly that. He is doing the correct thing, in giving young Williams the opportunity, and the "freedom to succeed". And, Williams is certainly not shying away from such arduous responsibility. This is how you get the best out of an athlete. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one! You grasp all opportunities, today, and make the best use of them.
What about Elaine Thompson?
But what do you think would have been Briana's chance of doubling, if she was at MVP with the likes of SFP still competing in the 100m? But, then, maybe Briana would have been MVP's "darling" for a number of reasons that I care not to share here, in the way that SFP now is. And, this leads me to my next question; what if SFP was also a 21.66 athlete over the 200m, just like Elaine Thompson, do you think we would be hearing all these spurious arguments from MVP, telling us why she will not double? I think not! Open your eyes! MVP is playing politics with Elaine Thompson. For Bruce James and Stephen Francis, the objectives are mailly two-fold.
What’s hurting Elaine chances?
Firstly, they are gunning for two champions, not one. That's the business side of track and field. Ultimately, two champions command greater advertising and endorsement "bucks" for MVP, than one champion does. And, right now, given the quality athletes in the 200m, SFP stands little or no chance of being the 200m World or Olympic champion. Therefore, MVP sends Elaine Thompson to the 200m event, where she is just as good as Fraser-Pryce is, over the 100m. In fact, the reigning Olympic sprint double Champion, is Jamaica's finest over both distances.
Secondly, Bruce James' and Stephen Francis' love for SFP, would rather the latter be the marquee event (100m) champion, than they would, the better Thompson, in that event. It does appear, they are not overly concerned about Thompson's superior ability, and her rare achievement at the Olympic Games, at this time; they are more concerned with making SFP the most decorated 100m champion at the Olympics, and at World Championships. And even if they have to sacrifice their best talent, they are prepared to do so.
Thompson, the veteran
Can you imagine, the 17-year-old debutante, Briana Williams, will be doubling at the Jamaica National Senior Trials, in her quest to do both events at the 2019 Qatar World Championship. But MVP is telling the 26 years old, soon 27 years old Elaine Thompson, that she, the "seasoned campaigner", will not double. And to think, Thompson has PBs of 10.70 and 21.66, in the 100m and 200m, respectively. And to top it off, she is the only Caribbean woman, who has two sprint double gold medals at the Olympics, in times of 10.71 and 21.78, respectively, which makes her, the most complete global female sprinter of our times.
Thompson is tried, tested and proven. But it does seem, MVP would rather sacrifice Thompson's talent for other less noble considerations.
Below is young Briana Williams Schedule for the season.
????????My June/July ????????♀️ schedule:
June 1
Jacksonville Open, Jacksonville, FL 100m/200m
June 8
Great Southwest Classic, New Mexico 100m/200m
June 20-23
Jamaican Senior Championships, Kingston, Jamaica 100m/200m
June 30
Prefontaine Classic, Stanford, California 100m
July 5-7
NACAC Under 18 Championships, Queretaro, Mexico 100m/200m
July 19-21
Pan Am Under-20 Championships, San Jose, Costa Rica 100m
AUGUST-OCTOBER TBA
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah)
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