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Africa's fastest woman has disclosed that 2024 has been her toughest season since she began her career after failing to achieve any of her goals and noted why she remains optimistic as she takes her break and prepares for 2025.
Africa’s fastest woman, Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, has reflected on her injury-plagued season, which has seen her fail to achieve her goals, but she remains grateful overall.
In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, Ta Lou-Smith disclosed that she had an injury throughout the season. It was evident at the Paris Olympic Games where she was carried off the track after finishing eighth in the women’s 100m final in a time of 13.84. She was forced to miss the women’s 200m in Paris and the Ivorian women’s 4x100m relay team was disqualified.
After the Olympic Games, Ta Lou-Smith continued her campaign for top honours and raced in a series of races before the Diamond League Meeting final. She finished fourth in Lausanne before finishing second in Silesia.
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21:25 - 14.09.2024
Brittany Brown claims maiden Diamond League trophy as Ta Lou-Smith faces disqualification
Brittany Brown had a great start off the blocks and ensured she held onto that until she crossed the finish line first, ending her season on a high but it was not a good day in the office for Africa's fastest woman who was disqualified.
The 35-year-old proceeded to the Diamond League Meeting in Zurich, finishing fourth before she claimed top honours at the Grand Prix Lombardia. In Brussels, Ta Lou-Smith finished third in the women’s 100m but was unfortunately disqualified for lane infringement in the women’s 200m.
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“I have been injured all this season, since March-April after the World Relays, but I kept pushing. I kept pushing, and I think it was not enough at the Olympics, because nothing was enough this year,” Ta Lou-Smith said.
“I have been struggling after the Olympics. I didn't want to continue my season. But I did. It’s not always about winning, it's about not giving up, about giving your best every day, every time you pursue your dreams,” she added.
She explained that 2024 has tested her to the limits and she had to put in a lot of work to make it to the top. Ta Lou-Smith disclosed that she was hoping to build up on her form in 2023 and hopefully make an impact this season but that was not the case.
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19:21 - 14.09.2024
Why Gabby Thomas is still wary of Shericka Jackson's threat ahead of 2025 season
Thomas, who clinched three gold medals at the Paris Olympic games, has explained why she is still wary of Shericka Jackson's return next season.
“This year has been a tough year for me. I have been [through] ups and downs in my career, but this year has been harder because I hard to work really hard to be here,” she said.
“I did whatever I had to do to come back. Before the Olympics, (the doctor) thought it was too close, but I made it happen. At the beginning of the year, I would not have imagined not being part of the Olympics, or not being able to have any medals.”
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