Thompson Herah returns to Birmingham stamping ground
Published:Wednesday | February 2, 2022 | 12:08 AMRaymond Graham and Hubert Lawrence/Gleaner Writers
THE FIFTH meeting of the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Tour (Gold) in Birmingham, England, on Saturday, February 19 will mark the first time Elaine Thompson Herah jumps out of the blocks overseas this season.
The two-time double sprint Olympic champion, who is the fastest woman alive in the 100 metres with 10.54 seconds and the 200 metres with 21.53 seconds, will make her season debut in the 60M at the Muller Indoor Grand Prix at the Utilita Arena.
With a personal best of 6.98 seconds in the event at the same venue in 2017, Thompson Herah, who is now under the guidance of a new team including husband Deron, is excited about racing in Birmingham.
“I am excited to race in Birmingham to start my 2022 campaign,” said Thompson Herah, who is coming off the back of a 7.19-second opening at the Queens/Grace Jackson Development meet at the National Stadium East last Saturday.
Then, she lined up with 2018 World Indoor finalist Remona Burchell to her right and Burchell, twice an NCAA 60-metre champion, started well and stayed with Thompson Herah in the first half of the race. Then the Olympic gold medallist eased away to win with Burchell the runner-up in 7.29 seconds.
A solid headwind, clocked at 1.9 metres per second, was in their faces. In still air, as will be the case at the World Indoor Championships in March, their times would be worth 7.06 for Thompson Herah, and 7.16 for Burchell.
The leading indoor time of the young season is 7.08 seconds by American Marybeth Sant-Price.
On the 19th, Thompson Herah’s main rival in the event will be Great Britain’s Daryl Neita who was eighth in the 100 metres and a member of the Great Britain bronze-medal-winning 4x100 metres relay team at the Tokyo Olympics.
“This year is a huge one. I have big goals for the World Athletics Championships and I’d like to give fans something to cheer about in Birmingham,” said Thompson Herah in an interview with Athletics Weekly following the race.
“I have enjoyed competing in the UK over the years because of the atmosphere at this venue. I ran my PB in 2017 ,so competing here means a lot, “ said Thompson Herah to Athletics Weekly.