'Done as a Threat' - Retired Trinidadian Sprinter Renews Doubt Over Elaine Thompson-Herah's Comeback

Olympic medallist and television analyst Ato Boldon believes that Elaine Thompson-Herah has won her final individual medal on the global stage.

The retired Trinidadian sprinter stated that even if she returns to the track, she will not be able to replicate the impact she had before her latest injury setback.

Elaine Thompson-Herah, who took bronze in the women's 100m at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, has not competed since running just two races in early 2024.

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In 2024, she competed at the Prefontaine Classic and the USATF New York City Grand Prix, where she finished a distant ninth in both races before announcing that she would not contest for a slot to compete at the Paris Olympic Games due to an injury.

Her career has been persistently hampered by an Achilles injury, leading to significant time away from training and competition.

Speaking as a guest on the "TalkSports" radio show, Ato Boldon was blunt in his assessment. "I think Elaine is done as a threat," he said, noting that he had expressed this view before.

"That did not go over well in Jamaica because they saw that as me insulting the queen," he added.

However, Ato Boldon clarified that his comment was intended as the highest compliment, acknowledging her unprecedented achievements.

"I think we can make a case for her being the best overall sprinter, ever. She’s done what nobody has done, 100m-200m at back-to-back Olympics. Nobody has done that,” Ato Boldon explained.

“But maybe as a result of that, her odometer is a little higher than everybody else’s, and when you see feet and Achilles and those sorts of parts giving out... do you understand the forces necessary to run 10.5 or 10.6 or 10.7?"

Ato Boldon emphasised that his original remarks were not malicious and felt they had been misrepresented.

"When I said it, it wasn’t with any malicious intent. Somebody asked me, ‘Is Elaine going to be a factor?’ and I said, ‘No, I think Elaine is done as a threat,’” Ato Boldon shared.

“Well, of course, the headline is bold and says ‘Elaine is done.’ If that’s how you want to put it, fine, but if you’re asking me if I think Elaine is going to win another individual medal in her career, no, I don’t."

However, the outspoken Trinidad and Tobago Olympian said he would be happy to be proven wrong. He revealed that he would be interested in seeing Elaine Thompson-Herah bounce back, just as much as he wants to see Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce compete one last time.

"I’ll be glad. I’ll eat that crow with pepper sauce if she comes back and does it. Because I would want to see her in the same way I would want to see Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce run one more time," he added.

Ato Boldon reiterated his desire to see Elaine Thompson-Herah make a successful comeback but remained sceptical.