Elaine Thompson-Herah

In one of the track and field sensations of the Tokyo Olympics, Elaine Thompson-Herah established herself as the current fastest woman’s sprinter in the world, winning gold medals in the 100 and 200 metres and the 4x100m relay.

She defended the 100 and 200m titles she won in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 in flamboyant style. Her domination of the events matched some of the most memorable performances of Usain Bolt. Her victory over fellow Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the 100 metres was hailed as one of the greatest races ever. In August 2021, competing in the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, she won the 100 metres with a new personal best of 10.54 seconds, the second fastest time by a woman in history.

I’m humble to be honoured for this Award, based on the achievement last year and to be amongst all those athletes in different sports. I am super proud.

ELAINE THOMPSON-HERAH

What ELAINE THOMPSON-HERAH said: “I know Usain has won Laureus Awards before, so to bring this trophy back home to the Caribbean, also in Jamaica, is very special. I’m humble to be honoured for this Award, based on the achievement last year and to be amongst all those athletes in different sports. I am super proud. It is something good to be talked about with Usain Bolt. He is the fastest man alive right now, and he does leave a legacy behind so, I guess I’ll just follow in his footsteps to keep the flag raising in Jamaica.”

On the 100 metres in Tokyo: “I have watched that race about a thousand times now. I still have the feeling of butterflies in my stomach: to be the reigning Olympic champion, going into the finals not knowing what the outcome is going to be; to be amongst all those ladies who deserve to be in the finals who have been running super-fast the entire season! So when the lights dim, I was super nervous. I said to myself ‘do not panic, you may not be the greatest starter, but you have a very strong finish. I tried not to lose my balance, over stride, and keep those arms swinging and my knees pumping. When I saw myself clear, I was celebrating. I didn’t care what the time was, I just wanted to win.

“I would say I am very very very proud, but I cannot dwell on the past. Even though it’s very special, it’s memories. I cannot just sit and say ‘OK, I’m a double Olympic champion, I’m a five-time Olympic gold medallist’ I have to continue working because my motivation is to be even better. I told myself that I want to be the greatest female sprinter, so I am just going to focus on what the future holds for me.”

On athletes giving back to those less fortunate: Like Laureus Sport for Good, I also have my foundation, and I think it is good to give back, based on what you are doing, not necessarily the sport that you’re doing or the area that your in, it is good to give back to kids or older folks who want help

elaine thompson-herah

On the future and the 2024 Paris Olympics: “They say women reach their peak when they are 30. And I will be 30 this year, so hopefully I reach my peak. I would love to [compete in Paris], but I am taking it year by year. In track and field sport, we want to listen to our body. We think about families, we think about injuries and stuff like that. And once I’m healthy this year, it is a very tight season, because we have the World Championships and everybody is asking me if I’m going to the Commonwealths. I’m just seeing how my body is coping with all these races. I do think about Paris, but it’s two-and-a-half years ahead.”

On athletes giving back to those less fortunate: Like Laureus Sport for Good, I also have my foundation, and I think it is good to give back, based on what you are doing, not necessarily the sport that you’re doing or the area that your in, it is good to give back to kids or older folks who want help, because otherwise a person may not be able to manage things on their own. Because we are facing this pandemic, a lot of persons are under low peak, so once we can help in any way, it’s always good to try to give back, and give back through a foundation.”

WHAT LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS ACADEMY MEMBERS SAY:

2012 Olympic Heptathlon gold medallist and former winner of the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award, Jessica Ennis-Hill: “It was a wonderful performance in Tokyo from Elaine. We got used to saying how good Usain Bolt was, now it’s brilliant that we can talk about the great Jamaican women sprinters – first Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and now Elaine. There may not have been many people in the stadium, but her runs, particularly the 100 metres, were applauded around the world. What she has achieved first in Rio in 2016, and now in Tokyo, makes her one of the greatest athletes we have had the privilege of watching. I was lucky enough to win the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award and I am delighted that a great athlete like Elaine is now joining that club.”

Olympic sprint legend Micheal Johnson: “There is one athlete who completely dominated the sport last year: Elaine Thompson-Herah, 100 metres, 200 metres, repeating as Olympic champion, which is very difficult to do, and threatening one of the oldest and most impressive world records in the books, the women's 100 metres. We haven't talked about anyone threatening that record, myself included, for years.

“They were just super impressive performances, winning gold in the 100, 200 and very fast times, Olympic records, coming back again in the 4 x 100 metres relay. And just so much consistency throughout the year. She just kept getting right there, close to that world record in the 100 metres which is not easy to do, and a record that has stood since 1988. Many people will say that it probably may never be broken, at least in our lifetime.”

On Jamaican sprinting: “If you look at the women's 100 metres over the last several Olympics, since 2008 for example when Usain Bolt came on the scene, Jamaican women have won that event every year. When it wasn't Elaine Thompson-Herah who won it in 2021 and 2016, it was Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who won it in 2012 and 2008, so they have been dominating. So the women didn't rise up, they were overshadowed by one athlete, The Jamaican men were dependent almost solely on Usain Bolt. Now that he’s gone, the Jamaican men didn't show up at all in Tokyo. The Jamaican women just continued to dominate as they have for years now.”

Laureus Academy Member and President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe: “You have to understand the passion in Jamaica for track and field. This isn't something that sits alongside football or cricket or basketball. It is what defines that nation. And I think that Elaine, and I've spoken to her about this, went in very positive about her own ability, but buoyed by the concept of responsibility about maintaining the status that Jamaica has in the sport. I don't believe in ‘it'll be alright on the night’ or happy accidents: the Jamaican coaches, the Jamaican structure going right the way back to schools identifies talent, nurtures it and it's in a healthy space.”