Thompson-Herah to get heroic welcome in Bermuda as Blake withdraws from Shanghai Diamond League
As the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix approaches this Sunday [April 28], the Jamaican community in Bermuda is abuzz with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the chance to support Elaine Thompson-Herah, heralded as the fastest woman alive.
Thompson-Herah, a star sprinter who achieved the rare feat of winning the sprint double at consecutive Olympic Games — first in Rio in 2016 and then in Tokyo in 2021 — will be competing at the Flora Duffy Stadium.
The 31-year-old athlete also clinched gold in the 4×100 relay in Tokyo, joining the elite ranks of Usain Bolt and Florence Griffith-Joyner as one of the few to complete an Olympic triple clean sweep of sprint medals.
Yackeisha Weir, president of the Jamaican Association of Bermuda (JAB), shared her excitement with Bernews, noting that over a hundred local Jamaicans are expected to turn out in full force to cheer on Thompson-Herah. “The anticipation is high this year, especially as we have the fastest woman alive competing,” 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,” she added, as reported by Bernews.
Elsewhere, Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake has withdrawn from the upcoming Suzhou/Shanghai Diamond League meet scheduled for this Saturday, April 27.
The former world champion, who finished ninth with a time of 10.43 seconds at last weekend’s Diamond League opener in Xiamen, cited a hamstring issue as the reason for his withdrawal.
Speaking after his race in Xiamen, Blake expressed concern about his condition. “I feel some discomfort in my hamstring. I’m a little nervous … I felt good in warm-up, but when I tried to push in the race, my leg wasn’t letting me,” said Blake.
In Blake’s absence, Emmanuel Eseme, who claimed the 100m title at the African Games in March, has been added to the field for Saturday’s event. The inclusion of Eseme adds an intriguing dynamic to the race, as participants adjust to the last-minute change in competitors.
