Elaine Thompson-Herah, who has already touched many lives across the world, will have the chance to impact even more as she competes for a historic third-straight sprint double at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

Thompson-Herah, regarded as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, is a five-time Olympic champion, the fastest woman alive in the 100m (10.54s), and the third fastest alive in the 200m (21.53).

She is also the first-ever female sprinter and the second sprinter after Usain Bolt to win the “sprint double” at consecutive Olympic Games, capturing 100m and 200m gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and defending both titles at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

“The feeling is surreal, I must say honestly. Most times, some kids would say, ‘Okay, you are an Olympic champion, a two-time Olympic champion’, and so for me to know that I am an Olympic champion and going for my third one, I think it is a wonderful feeling to know that,” Thompson-Herah told the Jamaica Observer.

“That is a big image I can walk with, as that is something in my history. I can tell my grandchildren or my kids that I am an Olympic gold medallist. I am a five-time champion, and for me to go and repeat that, I think it is a wonderful feeling to have that a part of me,” the 31-year-old added.

Thompson-Herah, who became the first woman since Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988 to win 100m and 200m gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said that it will take a lot of hard work and dedication if she is to achieve her three-peat sprint double ambition. She said that she aimed to stay focused and healthy to first of all qualify for the Olympics.

“Training has been good thus far, as everything is on track. My main goal is to stay focused and healthy, and there is always tunnel vision. No pressure. Just continue to be me and just get in the races and qualify, of course, for the Olympics.

“It would mean a lot to me, honestly, to have a three-peat. I would be the first woman to do that, and I would again create history. So my main goal is to just continue to stay focused and to focus on the bigger prize,” said Thompson-Herah.

Thompson-Herah, who is also National Commercial Bank’s brand ambassador, praised her company and Visa for launching the ‘Tap for Gold’ campaign, which will give customers the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including an all-expense-paid trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

For every purchase of J$15,000 or US$100 or more on any NCB Visa credit card from March 12 to July 15, 2024 cardholders are automatically entered for a chance to win a series of exciting incentives.

The first prize, of course, is a trip for two to the Olympic Games in Paris with a special food and wine experience at Salon Gustave. The eligibility period for this prize runs from March 12, 2024, to May 12, 2024.

The second prize is a trip for two to Sandals Montego Bay for NCB Visa cardholders who use the NCB Pay app to make purchases, and this runs from March 12 to June 1, 2024.

The third and final prize is a Watch Party Kit to enjoy the Paris Olympics in HD on a 60-inch television set. This promotion runs from March 12 to July 15, 2024.

“I think it is a good feeling for NCB to look for people who want to go to the Olympics. It is in Paris, and most people want to go to Paris because it is a love capital. For them to pick people, couples, or whoever they choose to go to Paris, I think it is a good feeling because many people want to witness the Olympics this year.

“I think having a lot of fans gives you those goosebumps and that feeling to give you that drive to keep going. You know, for most championships, we don’t have as many fans in the stadiums as we would have wanted to because of funds and sponsorships. To go buy tickets and stay there is very challenging. So for NCB and Visa to put on something like this, to give people a chance to go and witness this, I think is a good thing,” Thompson-Herah said.

Julian Forte, another NCB’s brand ambassador, also shared the same sentiment as Thompson-Herah.

“NCB always goes hard when it comes to the Olympics, and I have been a part of NCB since 2015, so it is always a pleasure working with them. NCB is number one for a reason, and I hope for the winning person; it is a dream come true,” he said.