What must we make of Elaine Thompson's 11.14 run in the 100m, at the Shanghai Diamond League meet, today?
Firstly, despite being off the mark, it is Thompson first major assignment for the season.
Secondly, it is Thompson's Season's Best performance, in what will be a very long season, leading up to the World Championship in Doha, Qatar.
Thirdly, it is good to see Thompson back on the international circuit, after an injury plagued season, last year, and finishing without injury.
Should we be concerned?
But what is 11.14 telling us at this time, about the phenomenal Thompson? Even though we do not expect her to be firing on all cylinders, so early, Thompson is usually ahead of the pack just the same. So what is a third-place finish indicating to us, about her? What really might we conclude about the twenty-six-year-old double Olympic Champion? Is Thompson now in the phase of her decline? Is it the case that she has not yet fully recovered from the acute tendinitis in one of her heels? Is it MVP's politics on display, to take public pressure off Francis and James, and to allow them a free hand, to steer Thompson away from the 100m? Or is it that the global superstar is gradually building, and working her way back up to the top, just in time for the National Senior Trials in June, and for the World Championship, in late September, to early October?
Mental or physical?
Personally, I believe that Thompson is somewhat "distracted" by a number of factors, to include MVP's politics, issues of self-esteem or personality experimentation, as is so common with young people these days, which can be seen in her changing physical appearances (which is her business), as also, the possibility of niggles due to tendinitis that might still be affecting her, albeit, not as bad as before. Whatever are the reasons, Thompson is such an awesome talent, that before long, she should return to the top of her game, to put her head and shoulders above of all else.
Exceptional track record
Indeed, ever since the advent and rise of Elaine Thompson as Jamaica's and the world's sprint queen, there have been many skeptics and haters, who have refused to accord her, her just due. And this is against the background of her winning the silver medal in the women's 200m, in a very close race, in her very first global outing, and in a lightning fast time of 21.66, at the 2015 World Championship, in Beijing. The very next year, Thompson won the Women's sprint double at the Rio De Janeiro Olympics, in 10.71 and 21.78 over the 100m and 200m, respectively, plus capturing the 100m prize at the 2016 and 2017 Diamond League series. And might I add, despite Thompson's relatively short career, spanning a mere four years, she is ranked among the elite few to have gone the most below 11 seconds and 22 seconds over the 100m and 200m, respectively. These to me, make for an impressive resume that not many can boast of.
Only a stumbling block to greatness
The simple truth is, the 5 ft 5" superstar, will come around in time, to do what she does best, that is, to ignite, conquer and dominate female sprinting. I have no doubt that she will win the 100m and the 200m at the National Senior Trials, if good sense prevails at MVP. And, by the time the World Championship comes around, she will be running super-fast times, to razzle dazzle all and sundry.
Henley Taylor (Sensenya Ben Nyah)
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