Thompson-Herah moves to Performance group as she eyes historic defense of her Olympic titles
As she resumes her preparation to defend her Olympic titles at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Elaine Thompson-Herah will be guided by Reynaldo Walcott at Elite Performance Track Club. The announcement was made by the double-double Olympic champion’s agents Andi Sports Management on Monday.
Thompson-Herah, who recently separated from interim coach Shanikie Osbourne in a contentious parting of ways, will once again be in the same training group as two-time Olympic 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Thompson-Herah, the fastest woman alive in the 100m (10.54 seconds), suffered an injury setback during the last campaign that resulted in her failing to make the 100m team for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, finishing fifth at trials, and only competing in the heats of the 4x100m relays in Hungary.
Last season, the 31-year-old ended her season under the guidance of Osbourne, who helped her secure top three finishes in her next four races, including two wins and a season’s best of 10.79 seconds. However, a payment agreement and extension could not be agreed upon with coach Osbourne and it was announced last week that both parties had parted ways.
It has also been reported that Thompson-Herah’s shoe sponsor Puma who also happens to be the main sponsor of Walcott and the Elite Performance Track Club, played a major role in the sprinter’s move to the Jamaica College-based club, after a bitter end to her relationship with coach Osbourne.
Besides Fraser-Pryce, Walcott also coaches World Championships 400m hurdles silver medal winner Rushell Clayton, sprint hurdling star Rasheed Broadbell, Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper, among others.
According to the statement released by her agent, Thompson-Herah remains as “dedicated as ever to her craft, demonstrating an unequivocal focus on the path ahead. Her commitment to excellence is unwavering and she is resolute in her pursuit of the double Olympic titles she so triumphantly earned.”