US sprinting legend Michael Johnson has once again raised his concern about the future of track and field. However, this time, he specifically talked about two Jamaican track superstars, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah. He seems to be worried about these two legends not getting the credit and recognition they deserve in the world of sports.
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Both Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce?are the two most important female track figures in the world. We could realize their dominance on the track from the fact that they have shared the 100m gold in the last four Olympics. Perhaps as long as these two are still active, it would be impossible for someone else to win the 100m gold at the Olympics.?
Michael Johnson talks about Elaine Thompson-Herah?and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Michael Johnson’s fear seems substantial. Elaine and Shelly have been the backbones of the track as we see it today. However, not a lot of people care about their contribution to the sport. Johnson said, “I don’t think that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah get enough credit for what they have done in the sport because we are so focused on times.”
"I don't think Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce or Elaine Thompson-Herah get enough credit in the sport because we're so focused on times." @MJGold on why track and field needs to focus on the head-to-heads over times.
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He further raised grave concern about Elaine’s future in the sport if she cannot break the American sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner’s world record.?
Johnson?added,?“Right now I can see what’s gonna happen most likely with Elaine is, there’s gonna continue to for the remainder of her career unless she breaks the world record in 100m and if she doesn’t, there’s a danger that people will be disappointed.”
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?Fraser-Pryce and Thompson-Herah are two indomitable forces
If we take a look at female track athletes in the past two decades, Elaine and Shelly’s names would always pop up at the top. With three Olympic golds and a dozen world championship medals, Shelly-Ann has been one of the most incredible track athletes the world has ever seen. Living up to that, Elaine Thompson has carried her legacy even further. Out of the six Olympic medals she has won, five are gold.
Perhaps Johnson is voicing a valid argument. However, is time the only thing that defines a track athlete’s legacy?
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