Elaine Thompson-Herah heeds Stephen Francis' advice as she reportedly finds new training base in USA for 2025 comeback

Elaine Thompson-Herah heeds Stephen Francis' advice as she reportedly finds new training base in USA for 2025 comeback

Festus Chuma 12:00 - 15.11.2024

Elaine Thompson-Herah looks like she has heeded to former coach Stephen Francis' advice with regards to a new training base if she is to get back to the heights of challenging for global medals.

Jamaican sprint queen Elaine Thompson-Herah has officially embarked on the next chapter of her illustrious career as she eyes a remarkable return to form in the 2025 World Championship season.

After an Achilles injury dashed her hopes of defending her Olympic titles in Paris, the five-time Olympic gold medalist is now reportedly gearing up to reignite her career in a new training environment.

According to a post by track and field enthusiast Dav on X, Thompson-Herah has been cleared by renowned sports doctor Greg Haughton to resume training and is set to focus her efforts on preparing for the Tokyo World Championships.

“Elaine Thompson-Herah will be preparing for the 2025 season under the tutelage of Rana Reider at the Tumbleweed Track Club in Jacksonville, FL,” the post read, signaling a fresh start for the Jamaican star.

The news comes on the heels of significant changes in Thompson-Herah’s coaching arrangements.

Over the past two years, she has cycled through several trainers, including her most recent stint with coach Reynaldo Walcott, which ended less than a year after it began.

Reflecting on her decision, Thompson-Herah’s camp stated that finding the right partnership was critical as she worked to recover from her injury and rediscover her championship-winning form.

This development has stirred excitement in the track and field community, with fans eager to witness her much-anticipated clashes with rivals like reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson.

Richardson, who has been vocal about her ambitions, now faces a formidable challenge in Thompson-Herah, whose determination to return to the top has never wavered.

Thompson-Herah’s Achilles injury not only sidelined her from the Paris Games but also disrupted her preparations for other major events.

Speaking candidly about her struggles, the sprinter previously expressed her frustration.

“I feel hurt and devastated that the opportunity was taken from me, but I am focused on coming back stronger," she said.

Her move to a new training base is being hailed as a vital step in turning that focus into action.

The decision to switch training camps also underscores the turbulent journey Thompson-Herah has faced since leaving the MVP Track Club, where she enjoyed her most successful years.

After struggling with injuries and inconsistent performances, her recovery journey began to show promise under coach Shanikie Osbourne, only for contractual disagreements to derail their partnership.

Despite these hurdles, the 31-year-old managed to deliver some strong performances in 2023, including a season-best time of 10.79 seconds and a third-place finish at the Diamond League season finale.

However, with time ticking toward the next major championship season, finding stability in her training environment became imperative.

For fans, the news of Thompson-Herah’s return is thrilling, especially given the potential for renewed showdowns with Richardson.

The American sprint sensation, who claimed the world title in 2023, has consistently dominated headlines and is determined to defend her title in Tokyo.

However, with Thompson-Herah gearing up for a comeback, Richardson will undoubtedly face fierce competition.

Tags: