Five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson Herah has pulled out of the forthcoming Olympic Games due to a tear in her achilles’ tendon, sustaining the injury while competing at the New York Grand Prix on June 9, 2024.
Thompson Herah, who joined Andi Sports management in November 2023, was set to feature at the national Olympic trials – an event which serves as a selection grounds for Jamaican athletes – in Kingston, Jamaica, from June 27-30.
However, Thompson – who is a multiple Olympian in the sprints (100m &200m)- issued out a statement on June 26, rendering her unavailability to participate in the open trials and the Olympic Games.
Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Thompson’s Jamaican teammate and her training partner with Andi’s Sport management, as well as Shericka Jackson, Sha’carri Richardson (who has the world lead time), and Maria Jose Ta Lou are tipped as strong favourites to annex gold in Elaine’s absence at the Olympics.
Elaine Thompson, who is the only sprinter aside Usain Bolt to have won multiple Olympic titles in the 100m & 200m, was seen as the front runner in the Jamaican Olympic trials.
The phenomenal ‘steaming train’ like athlete is expected to undergo surgery, which will rule her out for some months, with management and the athlete yet to fully decide on her next step.
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Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo| univers.ug.edu.gh
