Losing to Sha’Carri Richardson, Jamaican Rival Elaine Thompson-Herah Still in Disbelief: “Didn’t Expect”

0.47 seconds. That’s the minuscule difference that defined Sha’Carri Richardson’s (10.83 seconds) fate, setting her apart from Elaine Thompson-Herah (11.30 seconds) at the Prefontaine Classic. As the ‘fastest woman alive’ (a memorable feat she achieved back in 2023), what many didn’t expect from the Jamaican sprinter was a dead-last finish at a track she had previously triumphed on, back in 2021. As unbelievable as her result seems, even Herah was left pondering the 9th-place finish.

In an interview with Real Talk with Tee, she discussed her 2024 Prefontaine Classic performance, saying, “Yes, it’s late, but I can’t complain. Maybe it shows a little bit. But nevertheless, I’m just happy to cross the line healthy.” It’s understandable why Herah seems glad to have made it out without any major repercussions on her body. Case in point, an Achilles tendon injury plagued her for nearly five years and even affected her performances at the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championship.

Additionally, the sprinter also had to endure more issues that ultimately relegated her out of training. In the 31-year-old’s own words, as per Jamaica Gleaner, last year: “The Achilles is still there, but I picked up a shin split, I picked up a knee injury and it shut down my entire body so that I could not do anything. If the Achilles was the only thing then I would have been out here limping (but running).” 

Her 2023 season wasn’t the best either. In fact, injuries held her back from qualifying for individual events at the World Championships (Budapest). However, she was able to make it to the relay team in time and even achieved a silver medal for Team Jamaica. Well, it seems Thompson-Herah would rather be safe than sorry!

Furthermore, in the interview, the Jamaican athlete revealed, “I didn’t expect to run 11.3 today [at the Prefontaine Classic], but I am so grateful.”

Additionally, when asked if she was in hard training currently, the athlete confirmed, “Yes, I am. Because I have never opened this late. But it’s a part of my journey. Season opener, I got the cobwebs off. And I have a couple of more races to go to the nationals. So the main aim this year is to make it to the trials and the Olympics after that.” 

Notably, this is not the first time that Thomspon-Herah has started the season on a low to get back to form later on. Back in 2021, she clocked 11.21 seconds at the Velocity Fest early in the season but finished first at the Prefontaine Classic with 10.54s, setting a Jamaican national record, becoming the fastest woman alive and the second-fastest woman in history, behind Florence Griffith-Joyner (10.49 seconds).

So, naturally, fans, who firmly believe there are still ample opportunities for the five-time Olympic champion, await to see her return. But with the Olympics approaching fast, the question remains: Can she overcome these challenges and return to her record-breaking form?

Can Elaine Thompson-Herah get back to the top?

If history is any indication, Elaine Thompson-Herah’s story is far from over. Remember her form back in the 2016-2021 era? Not only did she pick five Olympic golds, but she also went on to win five more gold medals across different divisions. Now, with her focus back on Paris, the Jamaican will do anything and everything to ensure that podium finish, preferably at the top. And her first step toward that goal has been training under coach Reynaldo Walcott at Elite Performance Track Club, joining three-time Olympic Gold medalist, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Notably, Herah parted ways with her former coach Shainikie Osbourne after the two parties couldn’t reach an agreement on a compensation package. Whatever the reason may be, hopefully Walcott can guide the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist to her next victory. For now, though, the coach seems confident of that happening, especially highlighting the team’s newest team member’s dedication.

“I always say that persons who have achieved a lot, they tend to be very, very focused. So it’s way easier to work with mature athletes. And younger athletes sometimes are most times because they’re goal-driven. They understand what it means to be successful and they understand what to do to become successful. So what I get, on a day-to-day basis is an Elaine, who is hungry, and an Elaine who is willing to do whatever I ask of her,” he said as per Citius Mag.

Couple that with the sprinter’s past performances at 100m events, and you’ve got yourself a winning formula for sure!

Elaine Thompson-Herah’s best 100m:

Safe to say, it’s just a matter of time before people can see just how hard Thompson-Herah has been training. With elite competitors like Shar’Carri Richardson looking in great form, the Jamaican athlete’s next performance will need to surprise her well-wishers. Do you think she’ll be able to do it?