'I am hurt and devasted' - Heartbreak as Elaine Thompson-Herah pens emotional statement on the end of her Paris Olympic dreams

Elaine Thompson-Herah is unarguably one of the greatest sprinters in history

'I am hurt and devasted' - Heartbreak as Elaine Thompson-Herah pens emotional statement on the end of her Paris Olympic dreams

Funmilayo Fameso 09:43 - 27.06.2024

Double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah will not be defending her titles in Paris as she has announced her withdrawal from the Jamaican trials.

In perhaps the most heartbreaking news for track and field fans heading to the Paris Olympics, reigning women's sprints champion Elaine Thompson-Herah has officially withdrawn from the Jamaican trials and non-participation at the Games.

Thompson-Herah penned an emotional letter on her Instagram page announcing her inability to heal on time for the Jamaican trials, after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury at the NYC Grand Prix last month.

Elaine Thompson-Herah is the reigning double Olympic 100m and 200m champion

"It’s never fun sharing news like this," started the five-time Olympic champion.

"But at the New York Grand Prix, I felt something in the race and still insist to push, couple steps to the line I realize something is really wrong. I sat on the ground because I couldn’t apply any pressure to the leg whatsoever as I was carried off the track.

"I went quickly to get some medical check up and to found out that I have a small tear on my Achilles tendon. Funny enough I got back home with a strong mindset to keep pushing and prepare for my national trails another shot of my third Olympics but the leg wouldn’t allow me to.

"It’s a long road but I am willing to start over and keep working and to make full recovery and resume my track career. I am hurt and devastated to be missing the Olympic this year but at the end of the day it’s sports and my health comes first.

"Not the birthday gift I was hoping for but God whatever you have in store for me I will wait and I will still continue to work towards my goals that I haven’t achieved yet. I will be definitely watching hopefully from the stands and cheer my country Jamaica 🇯🇲 on.

I WILL BE BACK 🫶🏾.

FASTELAINE 💨," she concluded.

How Elaine Thompson-Herah got injured in New York

The fastest woman alive got injured last month at the NYC Grand Prix, where she struggled to finish her race and settled for eighth position in 11.48s (-2.1).

Immediately after crossing the finish line, the legendary sprinter needed assistance to be carried off the track and released a statement on her Instagram page afterward.

"I felt something uncomfortable as I began to push I still tried to go but it got worse” so I am awaiting professional advice moving forward” thanks for your continuous support 🙏🏾."

Pulse Sports Nigeria later reported that she had flown to Germany seeking help from renowned sports medicine specialist, Dr. Hans Wilhelm Müller Wohlfahrt - the doctor treated Usain Bolt, enabling him to race within three days before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

With a glimmer of hope for the renowned sprinter, she seemed to be on track to still make the Jamaican team after announcing her withdrawal from the 200m event to enable her to focus on the 100m and reduce the possibility of further aggravating her injury.

Sadly, with the latest development, Thompson-Herah's quest of making history in Paris by becoming the first woman ever to complete winning double sprint titles at three consecutive Olympics has come to an end, thus can only aim for greater history-making performances in the future.

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