“Hungry”: Vying for Flo-Jo’s Record, Elaine Thompson-Herah’s Coach Hails Her Ahead of Paris Olympics

Elaine Thompson-Herah has moved closest to the legendary record set by Flo-Jo in the 100m sprint in 2021. Since then, she has been on the run to defy it, along with fellow Jamaicans like Shelly-Ann Frase-Pryce and Shericka Jackson. On the way, Thompson-Herah announced a switch in her coach and training methods last fall. While the decision raised the question of whether or not it is correct to do it ahead of the Olympics, her current coach Reynaldo Walcott has all praise for his trainee.

Eyeing the Paris Olympic gold this while, Elaine Thompson has been recently training with Walcott, who also trains Fraser Pryce’s in the Elite Performance Track Club in Kingston, Jamaica. In a recent conversation, Walcott discussed Thompson-Herah’s approach to training.

In an interview with Citius Mag, Walcott said that training Elaine Thompson-Herah was very smooth. The Jamaican coach said, “Persons who have achieved a lot, tend to be very very focused. It’s way easier to work with mature athletes and younger athletes sometimes.. because they are goal goal-driven. They understand what it means to be successful and they understand what to do to become successful.”

Henceforth, after coaching Elaine Thompson on a day-to-day basis, coach Reynaldo Walcott explained, “…what I get, on a day-to-day basis is Elaine who is hungry, Elaine who is willing to do whatever I ask of her.” These days, Elaine Thompson’s primary focus is to etch her name in the Olympic arena while also sparing a thought for Flo-Jo. But apart from the record itself, the path is also difficult.

Target to smash out Flo-Jo’s name is not an easy task

It was in 2021 when Elaine Thomson-Herah picked up the time of 10.54 at Hayward Field, Eugene. This is the closest any woman on earth has ever reached to Flo-Jo’s record. As she has been rightfully called The fastest woman alive, competition is right there beside her. It is none other than the legendary Shelly-Ann Frase-Pryce. Notably, she sits at the third position in the all-time list. But what makes the “pocket rocket” a worthy opponent in this race?

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If we look at the head-to-head timings of Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce, it reveals a glistening fact. Fraser-Pryce has broken the 10.70s barrier in 100m 9 times, which is an all-time record. She also has a formidable record of consistently delivering 10.6s throughout. In an interview with NBC, she had once said, “I definitely believe I can run 10.5, And once I run 10.5 I know 10.4 is possible.” 

Thompson-Herah is also confident, as she said on a previous occasion, “I think once I have that line-up and that good weather it is possible.” It does not end here. There will be Shericka Jackson and Sha’Carri Richardson as well who are tying for the fifth position in the all-time list. It remains to be seen who among these ladies has the last laugh.

Read More: Having Earned 5 Gold Medals in the Olympics, Elaine Thompson-Herah Takes Pride in Becoming a Coach, Calls It ‘Good Give Back’