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Asafa Powell has agreed with fellow Olympian Elaine Thompson-Herah on the need for Jamaica to support its athletes better.
Jamaican sprint icon Asafa Powell has thrown his support behind fellow Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, who has been vocal about the need for Jamaica to provide better care for its athletes.
Thompson-Herah, one of the most decorated sprinters in history with five Olympic gold medals, has repeatedly highlighted the disparity between how Jamaican athletes are treated compared to their counterparts in other nations.
The 31-year-old shot to global fame after securing double gold in the 100m and 200m at the 2016 Rio Olympics and repeating the feat at the Tokyo Games in 2021. She also added a third gold in Tokyo as part of Jamaica’s victorious 4x100m relay team.
However, her illustrious career has faced setbacks, including an Achilles tendon injury sustained at the New York City Grand Prix in June 2024, which forced her out of the Paris Olympics.
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'We do not get anything' - Elaine Thompson-Herah calls out Jamaica for failing to appreciate its athletes
When Elaine Thompson-Herah, a five-time Olympic champion called out Jamaica for failing to look after its athletes.
Despite her challenges, Thompson-Herah remains one of the few sprinters, alongside Usain Bolt, to achieve the rare double of winning multiple Olympic golds in both the 100m and 200m.
Thompson-Herah’s stance over Jamaica’s support
In a candid interview on Asafa Powell’s YouTube channel The Powells back in 2022, Thompson-Herah expressed her frustration with the lack of consistent support for Jamaican athletes, particularly during times of struggle.
“I see a lot of persons who, when they return to their countries, how they get stipends, gear, clothes, and more, but we do not get anything,” she said, drawing attention to the stark contrast between Jamaica and other nations.
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Powell’s call for more by Jamaica
Powell, a former world record holder in the 100m and a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, echoed her sentiments. Speaking on the same platform, he emphasized the sacrifices made by athletes who remain loyal to Jamaica despite opportunities to switch allegiances.
“People do not know how much we are dedicated and love competing for Jamaica. We had several opportunities to run for other countries, and it would have been easier to make that switch, but we chose to stay,” Powell explained.
“So people need to be more educated when it comes to sports and even everything in general.”
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Powell also addressed the misunderstandings surrounding athletes’ decisions, urging fans to seek clarity rather than speculate. “A lot of people might see you make some decisions in life, and they do not ask the questions; they just start speculating,” he noted.
Powell also defended Thompson-Herah’s choice to leave Stephen Francis’ MVP Track Club in 2021, a move that drew significant scrutiny.
Although she has faced challenges with form and fitness since the change, Powell argued that athletes should have the freedom to make decisions in their best interests.
“We do not really share our business with people,” Powell said, drawing parallels to his own career. “In 2000, I was with Nike early on in my career, then I moved to Chinese company Leaning and then to Puma. But at the end of the day, it is our business.”
He elaborated further, highlighting the importance of a positive environment for optimal performance. “If your mind is at ease, that is when you perform to your best. It is a dog-eat-dog out there,” he said. “For example, if you are not happy with this sponsor because they are not treating you good or you think they are treating somebody else better than you, you have a right to leave.”
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