Shericka Jackson's coach explains what Elaine Thompson-Herah must do to bounce back to winning ways

Shericka Jackson's coach explains what Elaine Thompson-Herah must do to bounce back to winning ways

Abigael Wafula 17:19 - 15.07.2024

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.

Shericka Jackson’s coach Stephen Francis insists that double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah has not hanged her spikes but she is just experiencing challenges with coaching.

Francis, who is also Thompson-Herah’s coach at the MVP Track Club, explained that she is a unique athlete who deserves a different kind of attention than other sprinters, something that coaches in Jamaica are yet to master.

The veteran tactician advised the Jamaican sprint queen to try relocated to the U.S. where she will be able to work with coaches who understand her body and are able to train her in the right way.

“I don’t think Elaine has resigned…I think Elaine’s body cannot hold up to most of 99.9% of the coaches in Jamaica because they rely on a lot on natural vs mechanical. Elaine’s body cannot be with those kinds of things,” Coach Francis told Nationwide90 FM.

“If she were to ask me what she should do, I would tell her to go somewhere in the states and train because I don’t think that she is going to be able to survive using the methods which they use out here to try and get her to top speed,” he added.

The coach added that if she would return to the MVP track club, it would be tough for her to fit in but he would be glad to accommodate her.

READ ALSO: Shericka Jackson: Networth, Age, and Profile of versatile Jamaican sprinter who clocked three of the four fastest times in history

Coach Francis, who is also Kishane Thompson’s tactician, empathised with Thompson-Herah, explaining that he worked with her for over five years and seeing her go through the challenges breaks his heart.

At the moment, the MVP Track Club comprises young girls and boys who are curving their way through to the top.

“She can’t fit in at MVP because there is too much talent right now which is a priority but that is what I would tell her,” he said.

Thompson-Herah was hoping to defend her Olympic titles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to join Usain Bolt in winning a three-peat but had to withdraw following her nagging injury. She vowed to bounce back strongly next season.

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