Elaine Thompson-Herah’s performances in 2025 are generating major buzz because she isn’t just any sprinter; she’s one of the greatest of all time, now attempting a return from injury. Her first outing of the season raised eyebrows as she pulled up mid-race with an 11.48s finish, prompting many to ask, ‘Is her career finally over?’ What makes her return such a big deal is that she’s the only woman in history to win back-to-back Olympic sprint doubles (100m and 200m at both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020). But with the 2025 World Championships looming, the question remains: Is Elaine ready? Well, seems like some aren’t very hopeful.
Track & Field analyst and educator Emerole Anderson recently addressed the situation, saying frankly: “We may not actually see Elaine Thompson-Herah get back to her old form… to be able to bounce back from injuries, to be able to get to the top of the podium once again. That is not easy.” He emphasized the toll repeated injuries can take: “Those setbacks can only pile on for so long.” Thompson-Herah’s injury, suffered during the 2024 New York City Grand Prix, forced her to withdraw from the Paris Olympics and the Jamaican trials.
It’s been part of a long pattern, “I have not completed a season where I’m not having niggles or pain,” she herself admitted. Now, at age 31, a time when fast-twitch muscle recovery slows and the risk of injury increases, age has become a real factor in her journey. However, as Anderson puts it, “If Thompson-Herah does get back and starts to show that form again, then that’s going to be a win for everyone. But also, that may not happen, right?” He reflects the hard truth fans must accept—that even legends have limits, and a new generation is coming fast.
Sport Bilder des Tages 210731 — TOKYO, July 31, 2021 — Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica reacts during the Women s 100m Final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Olympische Spiele, Olympia, OS in Tokyo, Japan, July 31, 2021. TOKYO2020JAPAN-TOKYO-OLY-ATHLETICS-WOMEN S 100M-FINAL LuixSiuxWai PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
That new generation includes serious threats to Elaine Thompson-Herah’s throne. Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) is currently the top 200m sprinter in the world, running 21.41s (second fastest all time) and a 10.65s in the 100m. Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) stormed back into the scene with a World Championship gold and a 10.65s PB—her charisma and top-end speed could make her the new face of sprinting.
Rising stars like Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia) and Dina Asher-Smith (UK) bring strong PBs and growing consistency to the global stage. If Elaine doesn’t hit peak form again, these women are poised to lead the new era of sprinting. But what can stop her, besides age and strong competition?
Can Elaine Thompson-Herah defy injury again?
Elaine Thompson-Herah has spent much of her career battling injuries, most notably chronic Achilles tendon issues that began affecting her as early as 2017. These problems disrupted her performances at both the 2017 and 2019 World Championships, where she failed to medal, often running well below her best due to pain and limited training. Despite those physical challenges, she stunned the world by producing one of the greatest Olympic sprint campaigns in history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021), winning gold in both the 100m (10.61s) and 200m (21.53s), becoming the first woman ever to win back-to-back Olympic doubles and breaking Flo-Jo’s Olympic 100m record in the process.
Just weeks later, at the Prefontaine Classic, she ran an astonishing 10.54s—the fastest time ever recorded by a living woman, second only to the 1988 world record of 10.49s. These performances came despite managing recurring Achilles pain, showcasing her ability to dominate even under physical strain. In June 2024, her Achilles issues flared again when she pulled up mid-race at the New York City Grand Prix, finishing in 11.48s and later being diagnosed with a small Achilles tendon tear. This injury forced her to withdraw from the Paris Olympics and miss the Jamaican National Trials, casting doubt over her future.
Yet, in 2025, Elaine Thompson-Herah has resumed training in the U.S. (reportedly in Florida) and is preparing for a comeback, drawing inspiration from fellow Jamaican icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who remained elite well into her mid-30s. Thompson-Herah herself remains hopeful, stating, “I will continue keeping my faith and belief because I know I have a lot more in me… every season there’s some bumps in the road.” At 31 years old, while age and injury are factors, her natural talent, mental resilience, and proven ability to rise under pressure suggest she could still contend at the highest level. If she returns to even 90% of her previous form, she remains a serious threat in global sprinting, especially in an era where rising stars like Shericka Jackson, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Julien Alfred are rewriting the sprinting hierarchy.
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