Happy Birthday to the World’s Fastest Woman Alive

^{June 30, 2025 | Edition #149}

👋 Hey, Speedsters!

Today, we will only talk about legends! While Jamaicans had a busy week at the nationals last week, their top female sprinter, Elaine Thompson-Herah, turned a year older…So here is a reminder to the world of that moment when she refused to be defined by the odds. Speaking of legends, another woman missed the world record, but not the glory! So hop on, this edition is iconic…

🌟 Track Stories

Birthday Tribute To The Jamaican Queen!

Two days ago, Elaine Thompson-Herah celebrated her 33rd birthday— exactly a day after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson once again secured their spots on the national team. But Elaine, didn’t line up at the nationals…thus, for the first time since 2015, she won’t be part of Jamaica’s Worlds team. However, nobody can question her status as a legend. But do you know how she started?

Elaine started running thanks to her granny, who sent her with shopping lists and promised to let her watch cartoons once she returned. Thus, little Elaine would sprint back home as fast as possible to watch TV! However, during her school years, she didn’t stand out…

Elaine started going to Manchester High School in 2007. But the best she could perform in the 100m at the Jamaican High School Championships, 2009, was a fourth-place finish. Not just this, Elaine was even left out of the Manchester High track and field team in 2011, due to an alleged misunderstanding with the coaching staff. So, how did she become the fastest woman alive?

By 2013, Elaine improved her 100m timing to 11.41s. However, her actual breakthrough took place in 2015, post her coach handed her a reality check: ‘You’re not producing the times you should be. Smile more. Be less scared. Shake it up.’ And next year, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she stunned the world by becoming the double Olympic champ in 10.71 and 21.78s. Here is a refresher of Elaine’s first-ever Olympic win! From there on, she just never stopped!

Happy Belated Birthday, legend!

📈 Trending News

Elaine Prevailed Over Her Injury!

Elaine Thompson-Herah's story is not all rosy….A recurrent injury kept nagging her for years, almost ending her career once! Yeah, that’s right! After the Rio Olympics, Thompson-Herah was plagued by a flaring Achilles injury for nearly 5 years. It cost her a podium miss at the 2017 World Champs, pulled out of the 200m from the 2019 Doha Worlds, and a disappointing loss in the 100m at Doha! Watch Elaine Thompson-Herah’s upsetting 2019 run below!

And sadly, it wasn’t the end! In 2021, just two weeks before the Jamaican Olympic trials, her Achilles flared again, and this time it was worse! Thompson-Herah feared she wouldn’t even make the trials or defend her Rio titles. But after a whole lot of resting, icing her heel, praying, and penning affirmations….she FINALLY made the team. And then…

Just next month, Elaine Thompson-Herah clocked 10.71s, her fastest time in the last four years in the Trials. Carrying this momentum to the Tokyo Olympics, she defended her 100m Olympic crown in 10.61s! This was wild as she became the second fastest 100m runner after the American legend Florence Griffith-Joyner! But Elaine had more to show…

In the 200m too, she clocked 21.53, a national record and the second fastest time, only behind FloJo, then! She also became the first since FLoJo to defend her Olympic doubles! Well, that’s how, from being injured to a Double Olympic champ in just 2 months, Elaine made a stunning comeback….Only legendary stuff!

Watch: How Elaine Thompson Was Carried Off Due to an Achilles Injury in 2024!

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🎖️ Beyond The Medals

Missed The World Record, But Created History!

Faith Kipyegon, on June 26, at the Nike-sponsored event Breaking4, ran the fastest mile a woman has ever run to enter the history books! The 31-year-old completed her mile in JUST 4 minutes and 6.42 seconds at Stade Charléty in Paris. This was 1.22s faster than her previous world record. Watch Faith’s fastest mile here! Although this new time won’t be counted as a new record because of Faith’s technologically advanced shoes, nevertheless, it was special…

This was a first-of-its-kind event held by Nike, which has supported Kipyegon for the past 16 years. And for this, Nike worked with her closely to finalise the time and location. Just imagine: Eliud Kipchoge held the tape for her to break, and Grant Fisher paced for her. It was a star-studded event, and a truly rare sight where a mile race was converted into a solo event! Could Faith have imagined any of this?

Probably not! Faith Kipyegon hails from a humble background and grew up on farms. She would run 4 kilometers barefoot to and from school every day as a 5-year-old. And believe it or not, athletics wasn't even her first choice. She played football and did gymnastics, until a teacher introduced her to running. That's when it all began at 14 when she won a school 1-kilometer race....And today, it’s that same sport that has helped her create history! Kudos Champion!

Watch: How Faith Kipyegon Missed 1000m WR Two Months Ago!

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Last Poll Result: We asked you, “With Kishane Thompson, Shericka Jackson & Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Dominating, Can We See a Restart of the Famous US-Jamaica Rivalry at World Championships?” And your response was loud and clear—67.69% voted “Yes!” With lineups stacking up and sprint legends leading the charge, the stage is set for a fiery faceoff between the USA and Jamaica. Honestly, track hasn’t felt this charged in a while!

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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