Elaine Thompson-Herah, the two-time defending Olympic champion in the 100 and 200 meters, will miss the Paris Olympics after withdrawing from the Jamaican Olympic Trials.
Thompson-Herah, who turns 32 on Friday, has been hobbled all year. She was blown away by Sha’Carri Richardson at the Prefontaine Classic in May. Thompson-Herah finished last with a time of 11.30 seconds as Richardson won in 10.83 seconds.
A couple of weeks later, Thompson-Herah finished last again (11.48 seconds) at the New York City Grand Prix. She finished the race but was carried off the track with an apparent foot injury, which raised concerns about her ability to be ready for the Jamaican trials. Those concerns were validated. Thompson-Herah revealed on Instagram she sustained “a small tear on my Achilles tendon.”
“Funny enough,” she wrote, “I got back home with a strong mindset to keep pushing and prepare for my national trials (and) another shot (at) my third Olympics but the leg wouldn’t allow me to.”
I will be back. pic.twitter.com/uz1uoCcY6l
— Elaine Thompson-Herah (@FastElaine) June 27, 2024
Jamaica has won the last four Olympic gold medals in the women’s 100 meters. If not for Allyson Felix’s gold in 2012, Jamaica would have the last five Olympic golds in the 200 meters, too.
The absence of Thompson-Herah figures to weaken Jamaica’s sprint offering in Paris, which plays into the hands of America. Jamaica still has Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 37-year-old legend who has three Olympic gold medals, and Shericka Jackson, the dominant 200-meter sprinter. No one would be surprised if a new Jamaican star was born in Paris.
The U.S. is sending Richardson, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry to Paris in the 100 meters. Tamari Davis joins them on the 4×100 relay, giving the Americans a formidable quartet. Jamaica is the defending Olympic champion in the 4×100 relay.
But even a healthy Jamaica was going to have its hands full with Richardson, who’s been the best in the world this year. Now she has one less Olympic champion to worry about.
The women’s 200-meter portion of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials start Thursday. Richardson is running, along with Gabby Thomas, the reigning bronze medalist in the 200, and NCAA champion McKenzie Long.
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(Photo: David Ramos / Getty Images)
Source link : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5595472/2024/06/26/jamaican-sprinter-elaine-thompson-herah-miss-olympics/
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Publish date : 2024-06-26 22:02:51
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