Retired Trinidadian sprinter & politician explains why Elaine Thompson-Herah's career might be over

Retired Trinidadian sprinter & politician explains why Elaine Thompson-Herah's career might be over

Abigael Wafula 06:22 - 29.07.2024

The former track star noted why Elaine Thompson-Herah is physically done and not coming back to the track.

Trinidadian former sprinter Ato Boldon has shared why Elaine Thompson-Herah will not bounce back to winning ways even if she comes back after her injury setback.

Boldon, speaking on the Letsrun.com podcast, insisted that she has achieved a lot in the 100m, currently being the fastest woman alive with her 10.54.

Thompson-Herah also achieved double victory at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and was seeking to defend her 100m and 200m titles at the Paris Olympic Games. However, an injury setback locked her out of the campaign but she promised to bounce back stronger.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya X handle for more updates.

Following her vast achievements in the sprints, Boldon noted that Thompson-Herah has no ability to come back to the sport and continue her hot streak. He explained that when an athlete does certain things, it’s usually hard for them to continue winning, citing the likes of Asafa Powell.

“I think there were mistakes made with Elaine but I think more than anything else, it’s that her body physically is done. I remember when Asafa had 99 or 98 sub 10’s and he was going for his last sub 10’s and I said that it was never going to happen,” Boldon said.

“People called me a hater but I know the 100m. When you run the 100m to some extent, you cannot continue. Elaine has done everything in the sport and she has achieved a lot. However, I think she is not coming back, with the injury and all that stuff,” he added.

He added that after her dominant display at the two Olympic Games, Thompson-Herah might have over estimated herself, hence the wrangles with her former coach.

He singled out Allyson Felix as one of the athletes who was snubbed by Nike and noted that shoe companies don’t look at athletes the way they see themselves.

“I think she may have overestimated her value when she won her second double at the Olympics…I mean it happens, it happens a lot in this sport. You have athlete X who thinks, ‘Oh I did this and that and nobody has ever done that.’ But the shoe company sometimes looks at you differently, I think it has happened to Allyson (Felix) too,” he added.

"They look at you and go like, ‘Wow, that’s a fantastic achievement, is it up from here or down from here?’. If the answer is down, then they will definitely let you go. They can also give you a contract but the money you’re making is not the way you look at yourself.”

Tags: