Elaine Thompson-Heller, a two-time Olympic champion in the 100m and 200m, will not be able to compete in the Paris Olympics after withdrawing from Jamaica's Olympic trials.
Thompson-Heller, who turns 32 on Friday, has been limping all year. She was outdone by Sha'Carey Richardson at the Prefontaine Classic in May, with Thompson-Heller finishing last in 11.30 seconds and Richardson winning in 10.83 seconds.
A few weeks later, Thompson-Heller again finished last (11.48 seconds) at the New York City Grand Prix. She completed the race but was carried off the course with an apparent leg injury, raising concerns about whether she would be able to make it to the Jamaican qualifiers. Those concerns proved to be real, as Thompson-Heller revealed on Instagram that she had suffered a “small tear in my Achilles tendon.”
“The funny thing,” she wrote, “is that I came home determined to keep going and try for nationals and a third Olympic Games, but my leg just wouldn't allow it.”
i will be back. pic.twitter.com/uz1uoCcY6l
— Elaine Thompson Heller (@FastElaine) June 27, 2024
Jamaica has won the last four Olympic women's 100m gold medals, and if not for Allyson Felix's gold medal in 2012, Jamaica would have also won the last five Olympic women's 200m gold medals.
Thompson-Heller's absence will weaken Jamaica's sprint strength in Paris, to the advantage of the United States. Jamaica still has three-time Olympic gold medalist and legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 37, and 200m powerhouse Shericka Jackson, so it would be no surprise if a new Jamaican star emerges in Paris.
The U.S. will send Richardson, Melissa Jefferson and Towanisha Terry to Paris in the 100 meters. Tamari Davis will join the U.S. in the 4×100 relay to form a powerful quartet. Jamaica is the defending Olympic champion in the 4×100 relay.
But with Richardson having been the best performer in the world this year, even a healthy Jamaica would have had its hands full, meaning there is one less Olympic champion to worry about.
The women's 200-meter portion of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials begins Thursday. Richardson will run in the 200 meters alongside reigning bronze medalist Gabby Thomas and NCAA champion Mackenzie Long.
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(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
