Elaine Thompson-Herah, the Jamaican 100m/200m specialist sprinter, came to national and global prominence at the 2015 Beijing World Championship, where she debuted and won silver in the 200m, posting a nippy 21.66. On that occasion, Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands won gold in a Championship Record of 21.63. Incidentally, both Schippers and Thompson-Herah broke the then Championship Record of 21.71, which was previously held by Silky Moller of Germany.
Thompson-Herah’s Challenges
Between 2015 and 2022, Thompson-Herah has failed to win an individual World title at four consecutive Championships. However, in 2022, for the first time, she won bronze in the 100m, playing an uncharacteristic third-string to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, respectively. The current 2023 season has proven to be very challenging for Thompson-Herah. In fact, it is Thompson-Herah’s worst year, having failed to finish in the top three in the 100m, at the JAAA National Senior Championship that was held between July 6 -9. Additionally, Thompson-Herah did not participate in the 200m, and so, will not be representing Jamaica in this event. This would mark the first time in Thompson-Herah’s track career that she would not have secured an individual spot at any global Championship in one or both events.
Olympic Success
Notwithstanding Thompson-Herah’s failure to win an individual gold medal over these many World Championships, she nonetheless has an enviable and impeccable record at the Olympics. She won four of the four finals that she has contested at back-to-back Olympics in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021. The double-double Olympic Champion, who is also the Olympic 100m Record Holder, has scaled great heights while at MVP Track Club, and under the coaching of track and field guru, Stephen Francis. Of note, Thompson-Herah is the current National Record Holder and Diamond League Record Holder in the 100m at 10.54, which underscores her audacious and exceptional talent.
Coaching Change
Following Thompson-Herah’s unprecedented successes in 2021, where she won three gold medals, she has since parted ways with Stephen Francis and MVP Track Club. And, whether consequentially or co-incidentally, over the last two seasons inclusive, Thompson-Herah has failed to reproduce the form that took her to such dizzying heights in 2021. Was it a bad decision for the double-double Olympic Champion to leave Francis and MVP or is it simply a case of misfortune due to persistent and unavoidable injuries? Indeed, can the thirty-one-year-old Thompson-Herah, once again, rise to the pinnacle of global sprinting or has she seen better and brighter days?
Not welcome and many questions
With the recent announcement by Stephen Francis that MVP’s doors were open to all others, but closed to Thompson-Herah, just what are her options, as she ponders and looks toward to Paris 2024, which is less than twelve months away? Are there any suitable options for her locally or must she pursue her ambitions overseas? And even though Thompson-Herah never stated nor indicated that she wanted to return to MVP, could she change her mind and return to the club that has brought her tumultuous successes? And, equally, could Stephen Francis walked back on his words to again coach one of the greatest athletes in the history of track and field? Must we accept this to be the final chapter in the track career of Elaine Thompson-Herah or are there equal or greater successes that lie beyond the horizon for the sprint sensation?
Henley E. Taylor
Freelance Sports Writer
Edited by Raymond Byfield
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