Thompson-Herah wins 2022 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year

Double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah has been named the 2022 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.

"The 2022 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award winner is ... @FastElaine!" @LaureusSport tweeted today.

She is the first Jamaican woman to win the award. This was Thompson-Herah's second nomination.

The achievement comes after a 2021 campaign in which she became the first woman and the second sprinter to win the sprint double at consecutive Olympic Games, successfully defending her 100m and 200m Olympic titles in Tokyo. Her countryman, multiple Olympic and World champion Usain Bolt was the first. Additionally, she set a new Olympic record in the 100m with a time of 10.61 seconds, erasing the 10.62 mark set by America's Florence Griffith Joyner in 1988.

Thompson-Herah also set the second fastest 100m mark of all time last year on August 2021, clocking 10.54.

She said that she was humbled at the achievement.

"To be the second fastest woman alive is really an honour and a privilege. It's an honour to walk away with this trophy," Thompson-Herah said.