Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce & Elaine Thompson-Herah’s coach explains how he gets the best out of the two

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce & Elaine Thompson-Herah’s coach explains how he gets the best out of the two

Joel Omotto 19:23 - 09.05.2024

Jamaican sprints coach Reynaldo Walcott has revealed the approach he is using to ensure optimum performances from sprint queens Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah.

Legendary Jamaican sprints coach Reynaldo Walcott has revealed that the friendship between him, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah makes it easy to get the best out of the two athletes.

Walcott has been working with Fraser-Pryce for many years but added an extra load when he welcomed Thomson-Herah into his fold late last year after the Olympic 100m and 200m champion parted ways with her coach Shanikie Osbourne in November.

It led to questions as to how the two rivals would work together but Walcott says while he draws up different sessions for the sprinters, the camaraderie between them makes work a lot easy for him.

“They have different sessions. One person is better off in one thing and another one in the next thing, but they also have very busy schedules and commitments like photo shoots in the afternoon or midday or they have a flight so we do what is needed for each of them to get the best out,” Walcott told Athletics Weekly.

“I try to observe my notes and figure out which instructions will be of the biggest benefit but also try not to overdo or reinvent anything because they are not novices and they have done a lot of great things. So, it’s a fine line where I want it to turn to this but I do not want it to turn to that.

“It goes also to the relationship where we can sit and talk things through. It is not me telling them you must do this, it is a group effort. I get the feedback from them and we have a game plan and we go and execute it together. Most times, I do not feel like I am coach, I feel like I am a friend.

“I think they see me as a friend too, in the most respectful way, where we understand we care for each other, we want the best for each other, the best result that we can get and what happens to one happens to all. If you lose, I lose, if you win, I win.”

Walcott, however, still feels while two athletes have achieved legendary status, they still have not bee celebrated as they should, something he hopes will change soon.

“They may just be the catalyst for younger women, the next generation to even benefit more. I still believe they will be marketed and highlighted in the way they truly deserve because they are not just one of the best, but some of the best athletes ever and I hope that gets celebrated,” he added.

Five-time world 100m champion Fraser-Pryce is hoping to bow out on a high at the Paris Olympics as she seeks her third gold medal in 100m at the Games while Thomspon-Herah is seeking to seal a triple-triple double after winning back-to-back Olympic golds in 2016 and 2021 in both 100m and 200m.

That means Walcott’s work is cut out with just over two months remaining before the Olympic begins.

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