Local Jamaicans To Cheer On Thompson-Herah
[Updated and written by Stephen Wright]
Excitement is building among the island’s Jamaican community in anticipation of cheering on compatriot Elaine Thompson-Herah, the fastest woman alive, when she competes at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix on Sunday [April 28].
Thompson-Herah is only the second sprinter after Jamaican icon Usain Bolt to win the sprint double at successive Olympic Games, winning gold in the 100 and 200 metres at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 and the rescheduled Olympics in Tokyo in 2021.
The 31-year-old also won gold in the 4×100 relay in Japan, becoming only the third athlete after Bolt and American Florence Griffith-Joyner to complete an Olympic triple clean sweep of sprint medals.
Yackeisha Weir, the Jamaican Association of Bermuda [JAB] president, expects more than a hundred local Jamaicans to be out in force supporting Thompson-Herah at the Flora Duffy Stadium.
“The anticipation is high this year, especially as we have the fastest woman alive competing,” Ms Weir told Bernews.
“With the Olympic Games taking place this summer, Bermuda has a chance to see a preview of Paris. It’s an honour to have Elaine on the island.
“Hopefully, she can help motivate aspiring young athletes in Bermuda because she’s an absolute role model.”
Ms Weir said the association’s members will interact with the visiting Jamaican athletes at the Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa in Castle Harbour after the event.
“About 15 Jamaican athletes competed last year, so, hopefully, there will be a similar amount this year,” she added.
Taylor Williams, the JAB press relations officer, said athletics is a sport that brings together the Jamaican community and expects plenty of national pride to be on show.
“We often watch the races together on television, including the Jamaican Boys and Girls Championships at Bungalow 56 [on Reid Street in Hamilton],” Ms Williams said.
“We’ll be there in the main stand, in the bleachers, in our colours, and with our flags on Sunday.
“The excitement is even higher this year because of Elaine Thompson-Herah – she’s a world-renowned track star.”
The USATF Bermuda Grand Prix will be broadcast live on NBC from 5 pm to 7 pm.
Update April 27, 10.15am: Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah will not compete in the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix at the Flora Duffy Stadium tomorrow [April 28].
“Elaine Thompson-Herah, the fastest woman alive”
Impressive. I am glad she saw fit to visit Bermuda to compete.