Former MVP coach happy to help out with Thompson Herah
Published:Thursday | August 17, 2023 | 12:10 AM
BUDAPEST, Hungary:
FORMER MVP coach Shanikie Osbourne says the decision to assist double-double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson Herah was not difficult after a disappointing National Senior and Junior Championships saw her miss out on an individual place in the 100 and 200 metres at these World Athletics Championships.
Osbourne confirmed that a temporary arrangement was made after the championships for Thompson Herah to take instruction from her for the rest of this season. The 31-year-old Thompson Herah has been coached for the last two years by her husband, Derron Herah, after she left the MVP track club in 2021, after a season in which she not only defended her 100m and 200m titles, but became the second fastest woman in history in the 100m.
“It [teaming up with Thompson Herah] was some time after the national trials. It kind of pained my heart as well, based on what happened at the trials. So it wasn’t a hard decision for me to go and give her some assistance,” Osbourne said.
It has been a rough reason for Thompson Herah, who started competing in the 100 metres in late June, less than three weeks before the National Championships. Whether or not the move will be a permanent one, Osbourne said that decision would be up to Thompson Herah.
“I am not sure that it is going to be permanent, but it’s according to her. Probably she is trying to see how things work out for the rest of the season and then make a decision. So it is up to her,” Osbourne said.
Osbourne was putting Thompson Herah through her paces at Jamaica’s first training session in Budapest yesterday and says that getting her to produce the signature speed has not been an issue.
“She is rounding up nicely. She already has the speed, so it is just to pull the speed out. So it is not hard to do that. So she is coming on pretty fine,” Osbourne said.
While Osbourne was limited initially with what she could assist with because of the injuries, she says that she will have ample time to play a role in Jamaica’s pursuit of a 4x100m gold at the World Championships.
“Yes, she has a lot of time. So I try to ensure that I don’t interfere with the injuries, just to ensure she can stay healthy until the championships is over.”