Discover the inspiring story of Gloria Thompson, the devoted grandmother whose love, support, and encouragement shaped Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah’s journey.
Several communities across Jamaica have produced outstanding talents who continue to contribute to national development and represent the island on the global stage.
One such community is Banana Ground in central Manchester, the childhood home of Olympic champion and track superstar Elaine Thompson-Herah.
While Elaine has captivated the world with her speed and athletic prowess, a key figure in her journey to success has been her grandmother, Gloria Thompson.
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A nurturing caretaker, unwavering supporter, and a firm believer in Elaine’s dreams, Gloria has played a monumental role in shaping the career of the fastest woman alive.
Pulse Sports looks at five fascinating things to know about the woman behind one of Jamaica’s greatest sprint legends.
1. She raised Elaine from just seven months old
Gloria Thompson became Elaine’s primary caregiver when the future Olympian was just seven months old.
As a devoted grandmother, she provided a nurturing and stable environment for Elaine to grow and develop. She not only raised her but also played a crucial role in fostering her love for running.
From an early age, Gloria encouraged Elaine’s energetic personality, unknowingly shaping her into the track sensation she would become.
Gloria often sent young Elaine on errands to the shop or post office, where she would sprint back and forth, unknowingly honing the speed that would later make her a global sensation. This early exposure to running contributed to Elaine’s agility, endurance, and passion for the sport.
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2. Gloria was Elaine’s biggest cheerleader
Elaine Thompson-Herah’s rise to athletic stardom would not have been the same without the unwavering support of her grandmother.
Throughout her career, Gloria has remained her loudest cheerleader, celebrating her victories with the same excitement as the rest of Jamaica.
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During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when Elaine dominated the track, Gloria’s exuberant shouts of encouragement—“Let it go gal, let it go gal!”—captured the hearts of many. Her words of motivation have consistently reinforced Elaine’s confidence, proving that her grandmother’s support has been one of her most significant driving forces.
3. She recognized Elaine’s talent from an early age
Gloria always believed in Elaine’s potential as she recalls watching her granddaughter’s love for sprinting grow as she admired Jamaican sprint legend Merlene Ottey. Elaine would often express her dream of becoming a professional athlete, and Gloria never discouraged her ambitions.
From basic school to primary school, Elaine’s speed was evident. When she attended Garlogie Primary and Junior High School, her principal noticed her potential and encouraged her to compete at the National Stadium.
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As her talent developed, she later transitioned to Christiana High School and then Manchester High School, where she truly began to blossom as an athlete. Unlike other young athletes who lost interest due to a lack of support, Elaine had the unwavering encouragement of her grandmother, who never doubted her dreams.
4. Gloria made sacrifices to support Elaine
Raising a future Olympic champion came with its fair share of challenges. Gloria, a mother of four boys, took on the responsibility of raising Elaine and made significant sacrifices to support her aspirations. She even took Elaine to work while teaching at the Banana Ground Basic School to ensure she was well cared for.
Despite the financial and emotional demands, Gloria never allowed these challenges to deter her from fostering Elaine’s ambitions. Her selfless dedication laid the foundation for Elaine’s success, proving that behind every great athlete is a support system that believes in them wholeheartedly.
5. One of her proudest moments was watching Elaine win at the Rio Olympics
For a grandmother who had seen Elaine’s journey from a small rural community to the grand stage of the Olympics, watching her triumph at the 2016 Rio Games was a dream come true.
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When Elaine secured gold in both the 100m and 200m, making history as the first woman since Florence Griffith-Joyner to accomplish this feat, Gloria’s pride knew no bounds.
In that moment, all the years of dedication, sacrifice and unwavering support had paid off. Gloria’s belief in Elaine from childhood had manifested into a global legacy, cementing her granddaughter’s status as one of the greatest sprinters of all time.
