Who Are Elaine Thompson-Herah’s Parents? Everything About the Sprinting Legend’s Family

Elaine Thompson-Herah’s grandmother, Hycenth “Gloria” Thompson, is the loudest cheerleader of the five-time Olympic gold medalist. Elaine made Olympic history in Tokyo earning the three-peat title taking 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. Elaine, the fastest female athlete alive, currently sits among the greatest sprinters in Jamaican history. Despite having little to no junior experience, she was wholeheartedly supported by her parents and beloved grandmother during her athletic career.

The 31-year-old Elaine Thompson-Herah is slated to make her Olympic season debut at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic, to make her third appearance at the Olympics. While the countdown is underway, here’s everything you need to know about the parents of the Jamaican legend.

All about Elaine Thompson-Herah’s mom and dad

The “Sprint Queen” was born on June 28, 1992, to Rose Richard and Keith Thompson. Growing up Thompson-Herah’s father, Keith, laid the foundation of her running prowess and even convinced her she was  “born to run.” When he was young, Keith ran frequently, especially in school events.

The Olympian hails from a low-income family that lives in Banana Ground, one of the most deprived areas in Manchester Parish. In their hometown of Mandeville, Manchester, her father owns and runs a barbershop in a plaza, and her mother stays at home to raise the family. Thompson-Herah’s father proudly told Jamaica-gleaner that his daughter inherited his athletic ability after she won the Tokyo Olympics.

Keith told an interviewer, “Mi usually run in school. Di big bwoy dem couldn’t gi mi trouble, mi always run dem dung.” Recalling how he ran away from the big boys and was never bothered by them. Elaine’s grandmother took care of her when she was just seven months old. Thompson-Herah had an early desire to be a professional track athlete. Every time her grandmother asked her to run to the post office or shop,  the Manchester native would get excited about the opportunity to practice and loved to “run up and dung.” Not many know that Thompson-Herah didn’t have a typical rise to prominence; She suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury before the Tokyo Olympics and compared to others had less impressive records as a junior. Her grandma, on the other hand, was a rock who never stopped encouraging her during her track and field career.

Who is the Olympian’s grandmother who took care of her?

Gloria Thompson, Thompson-Herah’s grandmother, was among the close ones praying for her success at the last Olympics. “One more victory inna Banana Ground,” exclaimed Thompson-Herah’s grandma as she got ready to compete in Tokyo. The joy of Keith and Frankie was soon eclipsed by Gloria, who excitedly cheered her granddaughter to cross the finish line by screaming, “let it go gal, let it go gal! Weh mi send you a Tokyo go duh!? Nuh fi run! Cock up, gyal! Cock up, in di name of Jesus!”

In a miraculous career-defining Olympic performance, Thompson-Herah broke a 33-year-old Olympic record in addition to the Jamaican national record with a historic 10.61 win in 100m. Gloria, though, felt optimistic about the 200m and said, “one more left and it a go hotter than this.”

Elaine won her second gold medal of the competition in the 200 meters, and she even won a third in the 4×100 meters. The 31-year-old was forced to miss most of last season’s competition due to several injuries. She will compete in her first 100-meter event of the season on Saturday in Eugene, though, challenging the American world champion in the race.