Disappointing blow: Elaine Thompson-Herah forced to withdraw from Tokyo Olympics

Two-time Olympic champion sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah will be absent from the upcoming Paris Olympics due to an Achilles injury, SSP reported. The Jamaican athlete, aged 31, sustained the injury during the New York City Grand Prix on 9 June and had to be assisted off the track. This unfortunate development has dashed Thompson-Herah's hopes of competing and defending her titles in the 100m and 200m events, breaking hearts of fans worldwide.

Thompson-Herah, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and a remarkable athlete in her own right, joins the elite rank of sprinters including compatriot Usain Bolt as the only individuals to have won multiple Olympic titles in both the 100m and 200m categories. Despite not participating in the Jamaica 200m trials, she had aimed to defend her coveted 100m crown at the Paris Olympics.

Expressing her disappointment and sharing the news on her Instagram account, the accomplished sprinter revealed, "It's a long road but I am willing to start over and keep working and to make a full recovery and resume my track career." Thompson-Herah disclosed that a "small tear on my Achilles tendon" ultimately shattered her dreams of competing in her third consecutive Olympics. Nevertheless, she remains determined to prioritize her health and well-being over her athletic aspirations.

Having dominated the women's 100m event, Jamaican athletes have secured the past four Olympic gold medals in this category. Thompson-Herah's successes were particularly noteworthy, as she clinched gold medals in both the 100m and 200m races during the Rio 2016 Olympics and achieved the same feat in Tokyo five years later. Additionally, she obtained a fifth Olympic gold as a member of Jamaica's triumphant 4x100m relay team.

The absence of a remarkable talent like Elaine Thompson-Herah will undoubtedly be felt at the Paris Olympics, as spectators eagerly anticipated witnessing her lightning-fast speed and fierce competitiveness. However, her determination to overcome this setback and make a full recovery suggests that we may yet witness her return to the track with revitalized energy and unparalleled resilience.