PARTING WAYS

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Just over three weeks after denying reports that she was preparing to sever ties with the MVP Track Club and veteran coach, Stephen Francis, five-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah has now confirmed the split, according to RJRGleaner.

RJRGleaner said on Monday that a statement it received from a member of the sprinter’s new team has indicated that Thompson-Herah “has already started her pre-season preparations for the 2022 season with an eye on securing her first individual gold medal at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.”

“In light of an abundance of requests from my fans and concerned Jamaicans, I want to assure everyone that I have begun my training independently and will continue to do so while I finalize all aspects of my team for the upcoming season,” said Thompson-Herah in a statement.

“I want to thank everyone for their support and express appreciation to those who have reached out in concern,” added the fastest woman alive with 10.54 seconds over 100m and 21.53 seconds in the 200m.

“I remain committed to representing my country and to lead with courage and grace, as I am aware that I inspire young women across the world who have dreams and who dare to see those dreams come to pass,” she continued.

Only American world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner (10.49 seconds in the 100M and 21.34 in the 200M) has run faster than 29-year-old Thompson-Herah, RJRGleaner said.

On Sept. 23, it said that Thompson-Herah had written to the MVP Track Club hierarchy, signalling her intention to cut ties with the club.

Gold medallist Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica, silver medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica and bronze medallist Shericka Jackson of Jamaica celebrate after the final Women’s 100m at the Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan on July 31, 2021.REUTERS/Phil Noble

RJRGleaner also reported that Thompson-Herah’s husband, Derron Herah, a coach with the Cameron Blazers set-up and this alma mater St. Jago High School boys’ team, “was expected to take over coaching duties for the two-time double Olympic sprint champion.”

That same day, RJRGleaner said the 2015 World 200m silver medalist denied the reports, while appearing as a guest of NBC’s “Brother from Another” discussion program.

“I am the fastest woman alive, so they are going to create some sort of news to distract the world; so it’s rumors of course,” RJRGleaner quoted Thompson-Herah as saying. “It’s probably because I didn’t show up at practice.

“I am still on my rest period; so maybe they are just speculating why I am not at practice,” she added. “But I just came back from the international circuit, and we normally get like a month’s rest and I am in my second week.”

Monday’s confirmation of her split from MVP means Thompson-Herah joins two-time Olympic 100m gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 2008 Olympic 400m hurdle champion Melaine Walker, Kaliese Spencer, Sherone Simpson, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell as star athletes who left the MVP club in “less-than-smooth circumstances,” RJRGleaner reported.

It noted that Thompson-Herah followed up her Rio 2016 Olympic success with gold medals in the 100, 200m and 4x100m at the Tokyo Olympics this summer and lowered her personal best times to 10.54 seconds in the 100m and 21.53 seconds in the 200m.

Her training camp is expected to remain in Kingston, the Jamaican capital, RJRGleaaner said.