Elaine Thompson-Herah, winner of 5 Olympic gold medals over the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, will miss the Paris Olympics.
The 31-year-old Jamaican was aiming to defend the Olympic 100m and 200m titles she claimed in each Rio and Tokyo, however will now watch the Video games from the sidelines.
Thompson-Herah, who’s the one sprinter aside from Usain Bolt to win a number of Olympic 100m and 200m gold medals, pulled out of this weekend’s Jamaican trials as a consequence of a small tear on her Achilles tendon.
That harm was sustained on the New York Grand Prix on June 9, the place Thompson-Herah completed ninth over 100m in 11.48 (-2.1) and was carried off the observe after the race.
On her Instagram, the Jamaican said that earlier than the road she “realised one thing was fallacious” and “I couldn’t apply any strain to the leg in any respect”.
🚨Breaking: Observe & Discipline Followers & my Jamaican cousins:
Elaine Thompson-Herah needed to be carried off of the observe on the New York Grand Prix, after injuring her Achilles whereas working the 100M.
She completed final in 11.48 (-2.1), however instantly eliminated her shoe & was limping. pic.twitter.com/7GEBVU4SI0
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) June 9, 2024
“I acquired again residence with a powerful mindset, to maintain pushing and put together for my nationwide trials. I wished a shot for my third Olympics however the leg wouldn’t permit me to,” Thompson-Herah added.
“It’s a protracted street however I’m prepared to start out over, hold working, make a full restoration and resume my observe profession. I’m harm and devastated to be lacking the Olympics this yr however on the finish of the day it’s sport and my well being comes first.
“This wasn’t the birthday present I hoped for however God, no matter you have got in retailer for me, I’ll wait and I’ll nonetheless proceed to work in direction of the targets that I haven’t achieved but. I’ll undoubtedly be watching from the stands to cheer my nation Jamaica on. I shall be again!”
Jamaica’s clear sweep (Getty)
Jamaica’s girls have dominated Olympic sprinting in latest occasions. Since Athens 2004, solely Allyson Felix – 200m gold at London 2012 – has denied Jamaica a spot on the highest of a person sprints podium.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce secured Olympic 100m golds at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 whereas Veronica Campbell-Brown gained the 200m title at Athens 2004 after which retained it, 4 years later, within the Chinese language capital.
Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce have additionally shared the Olympic podium on two events, claiming 4x100m silver at Rio 2016 after which gold at Tokyo 2020.
With Thompson-Herah now absent from Paris, it implies that Jamaican gold medal hopes will now relaxation with Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson.
The Jamaican Olympic trials shall be held between June 27-30 in Kingston.
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