Daryll Neita has explained that she is very fortunate to have Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah as blueprints for her as she chases success on the global scene.
Great Britain’s sprinting ace Daryll Neita has opened up about how Jamaican sprint queens Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah have been integral parts of her growth in athletics.
Neita explained that the duo has always encouraged her to believe in herself and their wise words always ring in her head. She explained that hanging around women who have already made it encourages her that one day, she will also be able to make a big name for herself.
The 27-year-old was quick to note that Fraser-Pryce and Thompson-Herah are among the great women who believe in her abilities, challenging her to go for what always seemed impossible.
06:32 - 01.07.2024
Jamaican wunderkind Tia Clayton excited to make first Olympic team at 19
19-year-old Tia Clayton has expressed excitement after sealing her first Olympic ticket following her second-place finish at the Jamaican Olympic trials.
Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya X handle for more updates.
“I’m actually really fortunate, for some reason, the ladies, say like Shelly and Elaine they give me a lot of advice and they talk to me and are very friendly,” Neita told BBC Sport.
“When you are able to talk to people that are better than you, you get tips and advice and you get that confidence to say that if they can see it in you, why can’t you see it in yourself? They have done it, you know,” she added.
She noted that it is never always long conversations but sometimes even a second’s conversation can transform her life.
Neita added that at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Fraser-Pryce told her encouraging words that made her go into the 200m final ready for fireworks.
She managed to finish fifth in 22.16 as Shericka Jackson won the race in impeccable fashion. Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson came in second and third respectively.
“It could just be like a two-second conversation like let’s say last year at the World Championships I had a conversation with Shelly-Ann,” she said.
17:19 - 15.07.2024
Shericka Jackson's coach explains what Elaine Thompson-Herah must do to bounce back to winning ways
Coach Stephen Francis, the man behind Shericka Jackson's exploits, has explained the uniqueness of Elaine Thompson-Herah as a sprinter and noted what the double Olympic champion needs to do to get back on track.
“She said to me, ‘Dee, the 200m is all about execution, you have to believe in yourself, just go for it.’ I was on my way to the call room and the words rung in my head as I went there.
“Elaine always texts me to just encourage me. I’ve grown up watching them and hanging around them is a blessing.”