It’s no secret that the Jamaican track and field Olympic team produced its worst Olympic performance in decades at the Paris Olympics. With icons such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson bowing out thanks to injuries, while hyped newcomers such as Kishane Thompson only managed to win silver, things didn’t go well. After the drama unfolded on the global stage, it has now trickled down to the grassroots level. With Mommy Rocket and Rasheed Broadbell parting ways with Reynaldo Walcott after the Olympic disappointment, Elaine Thompson-Herah is following suit.

However, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Thompson-Herah may have different motives for parting ways with Elite Performance Track Club. Sportsmax reports that the 37-year-old founding member’s relationship with Walcott became “frosty” thanks to Paris 2024 disappointment. But the five-time Olympic gold medalist may have her own reasons.

While Fraser-Pryce and Jackson at least made it to the Olympics, Elaine Thompson-Herah couldn’t even do that. The 32-year-old Jamaican track icon suffered an Achilles injury at the New York City Grand Prix on June 9, which dashed her Paris Olympics dream. Now, eyeing a return to the track to prepare for the 2025 season, Thompson-Herah may just be looking for a fresh start.

Watching Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the first Jamaican woman to win 100m Olympic gold and one of the few medalists from Paris 2024 depart, probably didn’t inspire confidence in Thompson-Herah. “Elaine Thompson-Herah reportedly also on her way out, following news of other big-name departures.” the Jamaican Observer reported on X. So where’s the former world champion heading to?

The Observer suggests that the Jamaican track and field star may return to her previous club, MVP. According to the report, Elaine Thompson-Hearh has initiated negotiations with MVP Track Club and is “expected” to return to prepare for the 2025 competitive season. The 32-year-old left the club in 2021 but has struggled to settle since then.

The six-time Olympic medalist didn’t join Reynaldo Walcott-led Elite Performance immediately after leaving MVP. In fact, she had a successful yet tumultuous time training with Shanikie Osbourne in 2023 before her now short-lived stint with Walcott.

Elaine Thompson-Herah’s rift with Shanikie Osbourne

Thompson-Herah joined forces with Shanikie Osbourne shortly after her lackluster performance at the 2023 Jamaican National Championships. The team-up proved immensely effective as the Olympian eliminated her dip in form after posting an 11:00 second-season best in her first race under Osbourne. The sprinter went on to improve her season best to 10.79 seconds.

A bronze medal at the 2023 Diamond League finals became a cherry on top of her season. However, issues reared their head while renewing the contract with Shanikie Osbourne for the 2024 season. Osbourne rejected the first offer Elaine Thompson-Herah’s management agency Andi Sports Management sent the coach.

While talks restarted after the Olympian reached out personally, they ultimately bore fruit. However, things became controversial when Herah’s management team alleged that the coach was unwilling to negotiate payment. Shanikie Osbourne hit back, saying, “We gave them no room to negotiate is a big lie!” Ultimately, the rift didn’t benefit either individual.

Maybe that’s why Elaine Thompson-Herah is returning to the MVP Trak Club. After all, all six of her Olympic medals, including the five golds, came when the track and field icon trained at MVP between 2016 and 2021. “I am willing to start over,” the Olympian said after the injury which ended her Olympic dream. Do you believe returning to MVP after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ignited an exodus at Elite Performance is a good move? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.