Elaine Thompson-Herah has been a victim of injuries and at one point in her career, she felt like there was no need to keep trying.
Elaine Thompson-Herah has been a victim of a series of injuries and at some point, she thought about quitting her track career following the frustrations she was forced to go through.
The 2023 and 2024 seasons were seemingly the toughest for her as she did not get the opportunity to compete in individual races at either the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
At the World Championships trials in Jamaica, Elaine Thompson-Herah finished fifth in the women’s 100m and could only get a slot in the relay. For the Olympic Games, Elaine Thompson-Herah had to withdraw from the trials after an injury setback, a very devastating setback.
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Mo Farah has reflected on his toughest career race, crediting his Kenyan rival for pushing him to his limits.
Such issues have led to some athletes quitting their careers and it’s something that has crossed her mind but she keeps on going, expressing her gratitude to God. In a past interview, Elaine Thompson-Herah admitted that it has been a rough time for her and at some point, she was unable to get things done.
“The past couple of months have been rough and, on most days, I wasn’t able to do anything and I’m grateful to be here in spikes. I’ve been boxing spikes and track shoes and to come out here and get a clean race, God is good,” Elaine said.
“People always see us on the track without knowing what goes on behind the scenes. I feel like this is a test for me but I know I can do it but I cried most of the mornings as I drove my car going for my training because I’m working very hard and not seeing the results I want.
“I was on the verge to give up, honestly, but God has been there for me and I think this far, it’s been Him. I’m just going to the trials not expecting anything but I want to finish among the top three and get to the right championships. I’m just here, not knowing why I’m here but I’m here to get ready for the trials.”
Meanwhile, Elaine Thompson-Herah has been greatly affected by recurring Achilles tendon issues with the challenges intermittently impacting her performance on the global stage.
It all started mid-2017 when Elaine developed an Achilles tendon injury that affected her training and performances and despite the setback, she managed to secure a fifth-place finish in the 100m at the 2017 World Championships in London. The Jamaican also clinched the Diamond League 100m title that year.
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The injury, however, did not let her reign much as she placed fourth in the 100m at the 2019 World Championships in Doha and she was forced to withdraw from the 200m after the heats due to the injury.
She overcame the challenges to achieve remarkable success at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, defending her 100m title with a new Olympic record of 10.61 seconds. She also won the 200m title.
However, the recurring Achilles tendon injury continued to affect her performances in subsequent years. In June 2024, during the New York Grand Prix, Thompson-Herah sustained a significant Achilles injury.
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Letsile Tebogo reflected on his career’s turning point, winning his first global gold in Nairobi.
This injury led to her withdrawal from the Jamaican national trials and ultimately the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking a significant setback in her career.
