‘I’M A FIGHTER!’
ELAINE Thompson-Herah was a very late withdrawal from the World Athletics Diamond League meet held in Birmingham, England, last Saturday, after it was reported that she was feeling some “discomfort” and would not compete.
The news of her withdrawal came two days before the meet, however, Thompson-Herah was able to participate at the local JAAA/SDF Jubilee Series at the National Stadium in Kingston on the same day as the Diamond League meet.
She explained how she was was able to run in Jamaica after missing the event in England.
“I am a true fighter. My team decided not to go to Birmingham so I said ‘Let’s test here in Jamaica and see how it’s going,’ ” she revealed.
The Olympic champion explained that she has been experiencing pain since picking up an injury to her shoulder a few weeks ago, and has been battling with it ever since. She was, however, pleased with the outcome on Saturday.
“My shoulder has not been cooperating with me for the past month. When I went to Mount Sac my rotator cup had slipped out so it was giving me some challenges.
“If I don’t have any arm I cannot run, so for me to swing in practise it’s been on and off so I came out here to test it and I got a 10.94s so I can’t complain.”
Thompson-Herah says that it is par for the course for top athletes to experience ongoing pain.
“I don’t want anybody to be worried. It’s my job; we put our bodies to a place where it’s not supposed to go. We have been doing so much.
“Even though I am coming off a good season, I really want to keep that going, but whatever comes my way I do accept that — whatever challenge or obstacle.
“I have been doing that for years so whatever challenges I have, I still have to hurdle them. But, I am a fighter and I think every champion has something that they are fighting through or getting through, so this is something I have to work through and to see what I can do to overcome the obstacles or challenges I have coming this year,” she reasoned.
In addition to running the 100m, Thompson-Herah also ran the 200m and appeared to come through the experience unscathed.
“I want to compete. My team wants the best for me. I get numb to running in pain but whatever my team says, I will just work with that. I think they are doing the best for me right now.”
The 29-year-old is down to compete at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon on Saturday in the Women’s 100m, in a stacked field that includes her Olympic teammates Briana Williams and Shericka Jackson, Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith and the controversial American Sha’Carri Richardson.