Elaine Thompson-Herah, a five-time Olympic champion, faced a worrying moment during the NYC Grand Prix on June 9th when she seemed to get injured while running the 100-meter race. After finishing last, she removed her shoe and sat down on the track, indicating discomfort. Despite this, it wasn’t immediately clear what exactly had happened to her. She later shared that she felt something wrong, “I felt something uncomfortable as I began to push I still tried to go but it got worse. I am awaiting professional advice moving forward.”

Thompson-Herah’s inquiry of medical assistance has led her to seek treatment from a doctor in Germany, a renowned figure in sports medicine. Notably, Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt has a track record of aiding elite athletes, including legendary sprinter Usain Bolt. However, Thompson-Herah had not raced much this season but was still among the favorites in both the 100 and 200 meters at the Paris Games this summer.

Elaine Thompson aims to match Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt’s feat of winning three Olympic gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters. Despite a performance, in her race of the season at the Prefontaine Classic last month Thompson Herah she finished last. Over her career, she has been dealing with a persistent Achilles injury. As she prepares for her country’s trials this month concerns arise following her recent setback at the NYC Grand Prix. Can she recover in time, for the trials after seeking treatment? It appears likely especially considering the assistance of Dr. Müller Wohlfahrt, known as “Healing Hans,” who previously helped Usain Bolt before the 2016 Olympics.

After Usain Bolt’s recovery, Elaine Thompson has a chance to shine again

In 2016, Usain Bolt expressed his gratitude by dedicating his gold medal in the 100m sprint, at the Rio Olympics to Dr. Hans Wilhelm Müller Wohlfahrt, who had helped him recover from a calf injury and was there with him at the stadium. Müller Wohlfahrt shared the process of preparing Bolt for the competition in his autobiography. “We only had three days,” he wrote. “I landed in Rio on Thursday, and Usain had to run the final on Sunday. But I had a good feeling during the treatment, sensing every injection was applied precisely and to the point.” After Bolt tested his injured leg by standing up and taking steps post-treatment he remarked, “You met it. You met the point, ” acknowledging Müller Wohlfahrts’s targeting of the injury.

On the day of the 100 meter final Bolt reported to Müller Wohlfahrt about some muscle issues. The doctor reassured him that the discomfort was normal and would fade away in 48 hours. Looking back on Bolts appreciation Müller Wohlfahrt mentioned that Bolt had given him his shoes from the 2009 world record and even offered his Olympic gold medal from Rio. However Müller Wohlfahrt insisted to Bolt “Keep your medal, you won it all on your own ” and instead received a collage of photos, with Bolt’s winning shirt dedicated to “the greatest doctor ever.”

Also, before the 2012, London Olympics, Usain Bolt flew to doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt to address back problems that flared up during his narrow win in Ostrava in Feb of 2012. Despite this, Bolt was confident he could recover in time for the World Championships in London. Müller-Wohlfahrt, has been crucial in extending Bolt’s career. “I am going to see my doctor now so I know he will fix every problem.”  Bolt has relied on Müller-Wohlfahrt for various injuries, including a hamstring strain before his triple gold medal win at the last Olympics. “He’s the only person I’ve been to over the years that has figured out a way to make sure my back is OK so I can compete and stay on track,” Bolt said. It’ll be exciting to see Elaine Thompson back in action, especially if she competes against Sha’Carri Richardson in Paris, provided they both qualify in the trials. Also, Thompson’s recovery from injury adds more anticipation to the event.