It’s been three years since Elaine Thompson-Herah last competed for Jamaica, and the two-time Olympic double sprint champion says she’s ready to “unleash the beast” again, starting at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana.

Thompson-Herah, the fastest woman alive with 10.54 seconds, is set to line up in the women’s 4x100m, with Jamaica drawn in heat three with the likes of France, Germany, and Nigeria.

The 33-year-old has made a solid start to the season, having sat out all last year and competed twice in 2024 due to injury.

She’s currently the third fastest woman this year after clocking 10.92 seconds in the women’s 100m at the Velocity Fest at the National Stadium last month.

The 4x100m appearance at the World Relays will be her first outing for Jamaica in three years, when she also competed in the 4x100m event at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

Thompson-Herah, the 2016 and 2021 Olympic champion in the 100m and 200m, says she’s had to overcome many struggles but is grateful to be back.

“I’ve always labelled myself as a tough cookie. I’ve never been to a therapy. I don’t believe in it because I’m my own therapy, and I do believe in God. I have a supportive team who believes in me, and I do believe in myself,” she said.

“After running 10.54 it has been a challenge running that [fast], it’s taken a toll on my body. The Achilles was not giving me anything, and not competing last year has done a lot for me, I probably needed that rest away from the sport to clear myself and to come back. So this season for me is like a rebuilding process, not to rush or think too much.”

While the reigning Commonwealth Games sprint double champion has yet to rediscover her sub-10.6 100m and sub-21.6 200m form, Thompson-Herah believes steady progress is being made.

“I don’t think I’m where I want to be yet, [but] I’m being patient with myself. I’m just taking it step by step, not rushing anything, not applying no pressure,” she said. “Once the pain is gone, Elaine is capable of doing anything. I ran a couple days ago, it felt great, feel like I haven’t done anything pretty much, and I think I have a lot more and I’m just unleashing the beast one by one, day by day. Once I’m healthy, it’s going be an exciting season.”

“I have a lot more, and I’m just not rushing anything. I’m just being patient, humble, hungry, of course. I’m just using this season as a stepping stone, a recovery, a fun one and just go out there, have fun, run some races, get some medals, of course, defend my title at the Commonwealth Games because I’m the defending champion.”

Thompson-Herah is one of the many star names in Jamaica’s 4x100m pool, joining the likes of Shericka Jackson and the Clayton twins, Tia and Tina.

The women can secure qualification at next year’s World Athletics Championships in Beijing by advancing to Sunday’s final.

Thompson-Herah says she’s confident the team will get the job done, but has played down the possibility of breaking the 40.82 seconds world record set by the USA in 2012.

“[The world record] is something that I don’t really [think] much on. Once we get good weather, a good exchange, a good baton pass, I think anything is capable on the day. I don’t think we’re looking at a world record right now, if it comes, it comes, but we just want to have a fun day,” she said.

“We’re pretty confident in our team. It’s a young team, but I’m confident, so it’s just a whole vibe, everything, and let’s go now to have fun.”

Jamaica’s men, without Oblique Seville and Kishane Thompson, will compete after the women as they’ve been drawn in heat 2 with the likes of Canada and Spain.

The mixed 4x100m is set to open proceedings at 7:05 am before the mixed 4x400m at 7:30 am.

The women’s 4x400m gets underway at 8:55 am before the day closes with the men’s equivalent at 9:30 am.

Jamaica Squad

4x100m women: Elaine Thompson Herah, Shericka Jackson, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, Briana Williams, Jonielle Smith, Jodean Williams, Natasha Morrison, Lavanya Williams

4x100m men: Ackeem Blake, Rohan Watson, Kadrian Goldson, Adrian Kerr, Odaine McPherson, Rasheed Foster

4×400 women: Rushell Clayton, Andrenette Knight, Shiann Salmon, Leah Anderson, Janielle Josephs

4×400 men: Antonio Watson, Jevaughn Powell, Assinie Wilson, Deandre Watkin, Jeremy Bembridge, Reheem Hayles

Jamaica women’s 4x100m runners Jonielle Smith (left), Tia Clayton (second left), Tina Clayton (second right) and Shericka Jackson practise baton changes in Gaborone, Botswana.

Odaine McPherson (left) collects the baton from Ackeem Blake during Jamaica men’s 4x100m training.

Elaine Thompson-Herah (left) prepares to collect the baton from Lavanya Williams in Jamaica’s 4x100m training ahead of the start of the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana. (Photos: World Athletics)