EUGENE, Oregon:
Double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson Herah says that while her first season being coached by her husband Derron has been an adjustment, she is pleased with how they have been able to operate in their new dynamic.
Thompson Herah was speaking at yesterday’s press conference formally introducing her as the newest member of PUMA at the PUMA House ahead of her world title chase, starting with the women’s 100m which begins tonight at 7:10 Jamaica time.
Jokingly comparing her first season with Derron to being taught how to drive, Thompson Herah said that she is learning to manage with him guiding her.
“It is new to me. As they always say to you ‘don’t let your husband teach you to drive’. It’s almost like my husband teaching me to drive. We are not going to agree on certain things. But I am working on that,” Thompson Herah said.
Thompson Herah left MVP track club after a season in which she captured the double at the Tokyo Olympics, setting an Olympic record in the 100m.
With the world title missing from her résumé, Thompson Herah says that she wants to ensure that she has a chance of claiming it, with no thoughts of a 100m world record despite setting the second-fastest time in history, 10.54, at Hayward Field a year ago.
“I have not had a perfect season where I had something that was not bothering me. But these championships is all about getting a medal. I have no title here. I really want to get a title. But I am going to take it race by race, round by round,” Thompson Herah said. “I am not pushing the record at this point, I don’t want to pressure myself too much.”
With the hope of ending that world title drought, Thompson Herah says that she takes motivation from the many obstacles she had to face, whether through injuries, or otherwise, to fuel her charge.
“I know how great I am. I know what I am capable of doing. Once I am healthy, I will be fine. Over the years I have had a lot of failures. I have lost championships. That is my motivation to keep going,” Thompson Herah said.
daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com