Elaine Thompson-Herah: Jamaicans Left Worried as Fastest Woman Alive Fails to Register for World Championships Trials

Elaine Thompson-Herah's 2024 Paris Olympic dream ended at the New York Grand Prix | Image source: Imago

Elaine Thompson-Herah: Jamaicans Left Worried as Fastest Woman Alive Fails to Register for World Championships Trials

Joel Omotto 16:17 - 17.06.2025

Jamaicans are feeling the heat following Elaine Thompson-Herah’s absence from the National Championships set to select the team for the 2025 World Championships.

Elaine Thompson-Herah’s absence from the Jamaica National Senior and Junior Championships has left many in the country worried over their medal prospects at the 2025 World Championships.

The National Championships is scheduled to be held between June 26 and June 29 at the National Stadium in Kingston with several athletes competing for spots on the various senior and junior national teams.

Focus is on the seniors, where slots to the World Championships set to take place in Tokyo, Japan from September 13-21 are at stake, but one of the key names will be missing after Thompson-Herah, the fastest woman alive failed to sign up.

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Thompson-Herah, the first woman to win the 100m and 200m double at two consecutive Olympics (2016 and 2020) is yet to start her 2025 season despite earlier news that she was back in training, which raises fears over her sprinting future.

Thompson-Herah Missing in Action Since June 2024

Elaine Thompson-Herah has struggled with injuries. Image source: Imago

The 32-year-old holds personal bests of 10.54 seconds and 21.53 in the women’s 100m and 200m, respectively, but injuries have disrupted her in recent years and in fact, she is yet to compete in one year, since finishing last in her 100m race at the New York Grand Prix last June, when she left the track injured.

She would miss the Paris Olympics, failing to defend her titles, but hopes of a strong comeback this year are fast-fading with her failure to register for the National Championships a big indication that she is still not ready, leaving veterans Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson as well as youngsters Tia and Tina Clayton to fly the country’s flag at the World Championships.

That has left Jamaicans worried over their chances at the World Championships after witnessing a poor outing at the Paris Olympics when no gold medal arrived from the sprints.

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Elaine Thompson-Herah.

“Elaine injured and out jah know Shericka still not fit enough to double or even to do the 200m alone jah know at least the twins are stepping up, wonder what Brianna is doing,” said one fan.

“One heartbreak at a time Mek me go back to sleep,” posted a disappointed Jamaican fan on X.

“Can just give Julien Alfred the sprint double and done,” another fan said, feeling Team Jamaica stands no chance against the in-form Julien Alfred. “Was bracing for this, kinda felt it coming.”

“She’s not considering my feelings!! I feel like having a mental breakdown, this is worse than a break up.”

Thompson-Herah also changed coaches late last year after leaving Reynaldo Walcott but she is yet to confirm whom she decided to team up with.