"Training is going good so far; the work is never easy, it’s always hard. It’s an Olympic year so you have to put in that work," said Thompson-Herah, whose 10.61 in Tokyo is the Olympic record.
Under the guidance of Elite Performance Head Coach Renaldo Walcott, who also mentors the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Thompson-Herah acknowledged the adjustments required with a new coaching setup but expressed satisfaction with the progress.
Reflecting on her pursuit of greatness, Thompson-Herah emphasized the importance of continuous improvement. "It’s more about tweaks and adjustments because if you want to be great, you have to make tweaks and adjustments," she explained. "Along my career to be better each time, I go to improve and to work towards my dreams and my goals."
Thompson-Herah recognizes the formidable competition she faces, including her compatriots Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, as well as American standout Sha’Carri Richardson. Despite the challenges ahead, she remains grounded yet resolute in her aspirations.
"I’m definitely confident, not super or over, but confident," Thompson-Herah affirmed. "I just want to stay focused and humble, have the right mindset and stay positive, no matter what obstacles or struggles come my way."
Having battled through injury setbacks, Thompson-Herah approaches this Olympic year with a mindful approach to her physical well-being. "It’s been super-difficult to know what you’re capable of and you’re not able to do that," she admitted. "For me, it’s all about staying patient and humble."
Acknowledging the evolution of her athletic journey, Thompson-Herah emphasized the importance of body maintenance and self-care. "It’s almost like you have a car; you have to service the car," she explained. "If I don’t service my body, I cannot produce to get those world record and times that I want."
As Thompson-Herah continues her preparations with a keen eye on the Paris Olympics, her dedication and resilience serve as testament to her unwavering pursuit of athletic excellence and historic achievements on the track.
Thompson-Herah, who recently separated from interim coach Shanikie Osbourne is a contentious parting of ways, will once again be in the same training group as two-time Olympic 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Thompson-Herah, the fastest woman alive courtesy of her 10.54s 100m win at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon in August 2021, expressed gratitude to her many supporters, who stood by her during her recent much-publicized departure from Osbourne’s group.
According to the statement released by her agent, Ms Thompson-Herah remains as “dedicated as ever to her craft, demonstrating an unequivocal focus on the path ahead. Her commitment to excellence is unwavering and she is resolute in her pursuit of the double Olympic titles she so triumphantly earned.”
The club provided gifts and supplies, played games and spoke to some of the children at the home.
Robin's Nest Children's Home began in 1998, a private Christian home to minister to the physical, mental and spiritual needs of Jamaican children.
The home’s founder, Michelle Robinette, spent time visiting children at a local orphanage and soon felt led the following year not only to care for hurting children on the island but desired to start a new place where more kids could call "home."
Informed sources have indicated that the athlete will have separate training schedules with Walcott ‘going to’ Thompson-Herah in a private setting after he completes his duties with Elite Performance at the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College each day. Walcott reportedly shared the news with the athletes in group on Thursday morning.
Prior to the recent developments, Thompson-Herah, who owns her own gym equipment, trained at the National Stadium at Kingston’s Independence Park.
Andi Sports Management, the agent representing Thompson-Herah, who won a historic 100/200m double at both the Rio 2016 and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, announced on Monday that the 31-year-old athlete will now take instruction from Walcott.
“Out of difficulties grow miracles. Happy Monday,” the sprinter posted on Instagram as if in celebration over the development.
The move represents a quick-turnaround from her much-publicized separation from Coach Shanikie Osbourne after both parties could not agree on terms of compensation for a long-term arrangement.
Osbourne had assumed coaching duties for the five-time Olympic gold medallist after the Jamaica National Athletics Championships in July and shepherded the injury-plagued sprinter to her best times of the now-concluded 2023 track season.
After Thompson-Herah finished fifth in the 100m final at the championships in a relatively pedestrian 11.06, Osbourne had got her running fast again clocking times of 11.00, 10.92, 10.84 and 10.79 in consecutive races to end her season on a high.
Following her split from Osbourne, Thompson-Herah’s husband, Derron, revealed in an interview on Sportsmax late last week that a new coaching appointment was not far off. The surprising announcement came on Monday morning.
The news of the choice of coach was a surprise given Thompson-Herah’s contentious relationship with five-time World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who has been coached by Walcott since early 2020. The relationship between the former good friends became increasingly strained while both were members of the MVP Track Club and was what eventually triggered Fraser-Pryce’s departure from the club to join what eventually became Elite Performance.
The club announced her arrival on Instagram on Monday.
The 22-year-old Nelson recently graduated from the University of Oregon after winning NCAA silver in the blue ribbon sprint at the 2022 NCAA Division I Championships in June. She followed up with a third-place finish at Jamaica’s National Championships and earned a spot in the 100m at the ongoing World Championships.
She was sixth in her semi-final in 11.25.
She goes to Elite Performance with a personal best of 7.05 in the 60m dash, the time she ran while winning the NCAA Indoor title in 2021; 10.88 in the 100m and 22.74 in the 200m.
She will join a growing cadre of elite athletes in the training group including World Championship bronze medallist Rushell Clayton and Julian Forte.
