Five-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah created quite a stir last week Wednesday, October 5, at the Princess Margaret School in St. John's, Antigua.
After a challenging season during which she won a bronze medal in the 100m at the World Championships and gold medals in the 100 and 200m at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, the fastest woman alive took some time to put her tired feet up on the island with a population of about 100,000 people.
Word got out that she was on vacation there and a student of the secondary school, Dwayne Fleming, the U17 100m champion at the 2022 Carifta Games, invited her to visit and she took him up on the invitation.
Flemming won the 100m in 10.72 ahead of Gary Card of Jamaica and Keo Davis of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who were second and third, respectively.
Principal of Princess Margaret Dr Colin Greene said it was a “tremendous day” for students and teachers alike at the “track crazy” school. Dr Greene who has been principal at the school for the past 20 years, told Sportsmax.TV that the Tokyo Olympics triple gold medalist spoke with all the members of the track and field team, which he described as the most dominant on the island.
“She imparted words of wisdom and encouragement,” Dr Greene disclosed.
Thompson-Herah also exchanged pleasantries with other students and members of the staff who were excited to see her. Many took selfies with the track star, who also signed autographs for the exuberant hosts.
“Today was a special day for us at PMS. Elaine Thompson-Herah visited our school and had a talk with our athletes. Why wouldn’t a champion like Elaine visit the Home of Champions? We are thankful that she came and it was definitely a pleasure hosting her,” the school posted on its Facebook page.
Princess Margaret School is one of the powerhouses in track and field in Antigua, winning 17 championships in the last two decades. International athletes Miguel Francis, the 2015 Pan Am Games 200m finalist and the 2019 Pan Games 100m bronze medalist CJ Greene, Dr Greene’s son, were once students at Princess Margaret School.
“Princess Margaret School is the home of champions,” Thompson-Herah declared on video at the conclusion of the visit that will live long in the memories of all who were present on that day.