'I believe in God, not therapy', says Elaine Thompson-Herah

KINGSTON, Jamaica – June 9, 2024, is a date etched in pain for Elaine Thompson-Herah. The fastest woman alive wishes she could erase it entirely.

Elaine Thompson-Herah of Team Jamaica at the press conference of the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 on May 1, 2026, in Gaborone, Botswana. (Photo by Christel Saneh for World Athletics)That fateful day in New York City, the Jamaican sprint icon tore her Achilles tendon while competing at the NYC Grand Prix. The catastrophic injury stole two full years from her career, forcing her to miss the 2024 Paris Olympics and the entire 2025 season.

But if anyone thought the five-time Olympic champion was finished, think again.

Now 33 years old, Thompson-Herah has declared 2026 her “rebuilding year.” And with a personal best of 10.54 seconds still burning in the record books, her legacy may be safe, but her hunger is not.

The Gaborone 2026 World Athletics Relays marked her first global championship appearance since the nightmare injury, and she delivered in dazzling fashion.

“My body is good, and I’m not feeling any pain when running,” Thompson-Herah said. “I was sad because I had to miss the Olympics and the 2025 season, but injuries are part of the sport. I had to go work on my healing, and now I am here.”

The road back began quietly in Jamaica. On February 14, she finished 3rd in the 60m at the Camperdown Classic in 7.24 seconds.

A week later, at the S.W. Isaac Henry Invitational, she took 1st place with an improved 7.20. Then, on March 21, she stepped up to the 200m at the Velocity First 18 meet and won in 22.61.

For Thompson-Herah, the times were secondary. The real victory was finishing pain-free.

“The most important thing was to test how my body was going to react starting the season, and I’m happy with how it is responding,” she said. “The fact that I can run without pain, without fear, is what I wanted.”

At the World Relays in Gaborone, all eyes were on “Fast Elaine.” She did not disappoint. Anchoring Jamaica’s 4x100m team, she brought home a gold medal in a blistering 42.00 seconds.

“I must say we’re grateful that we got it done and stayed healthy,” she said. “Coming into the straight, my leg felt heavy. I could feel the hamstring, so I told myself I had to bring the team home.”

Asked if the gold medal has fueled her hunger for more success, she replied: “I would say yes, this is part of my process, part of my building.”

When asked what would define a successful 2026 for the Jamaican star, she had this to say.

“As much as this season is my foundation one, it will be lovely to defend my Commonwealth medal,” she said.

Thompson-Herah famously won gold in the 200m at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games with a time of 22.02. Notably, she achieved all of this without ever sitting in a therapist’s chair.

“I have never been in therapy because I don’t believe in it,” Thompson-Herah concluded. “I do believe in God.”

In a comeback story fueled by faith and fearlessness, the world’s fastest woman is proving she is far from done.