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Rocheda Bartley
Lifestyle Writer
T
HERE ARE many ways you can
describe a woman – beautiful, gorgeous,
chic, are just some that easily come to
mind. But, when it comes to phenomenal
women, the terms must match their status.
For the stellar Elaine Thompson, one must
call her a beautiful and
talented track doyenne. She
is one of the best sprinting
sensations on the island, and
unquestionably a
distinguished woman in all
facets.
Rising out of Banana
Ground in Manchester,
Thompson reigns as the
queen of the track,
defeating her competitors
and etching her name in
history. The unparalleled
performances she
continuously delivers to
spectators are only minor
reflections of the greatness
that lies within her.
MISJUDGED
Yet, behind her powerful
demeanour is a charming
young woman who fears
she is misjudged by onlookers.
“I feel that I am different than people
may perceive me. I am still growing and
developing,” the sprint queen told
Flair
.
Thompson is one of the athletes who
feeds off competition. She is the first
Jamaican female athlete to have won gold
medals in both the 100 metre and 200
metre in the same Olympic Games. It’s a
rare and incredible sprint double that she
surprised the globe with at the 2016
Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“I have many motivations. My primary
motivations right now are to train
hard and achieve the
desired results,” she said.
Also inspired by other successful female sprinters,
especially Shelly-Ann Fraser- Pryce, Thompson is
determined to shine her light wherever she goes, and in
everything she attempts. Her determination to excel and
rise above all challenges places her at the helm of
success.
“I believe I am unique and I will achieve what no one
else has ever achieved. Before I started to
focus on my athletics career, I was not
very motivated. Lack of motivation was a
big challenge for me in achieving my
goals, but that’s no more,” Thompson
declared.
OTHER SIDE OF ELAINE
Just as some girls who tend to eat,
sleep, speak and breathe fashion,
Thompson adores each moment she gets
to transform herself into a beautiful and
glamorous beauty queen. In the same way
she wins on the track, she has to sport
modish and stunning outfits when the
occasion calls for it.
“[I think this is one thing Jamaica
would find] surprising about me, that I
like to dress up,” Thompson reveals.
Enjoying the priceless times with her
friends is one of the things the talented
and successful woman loves to do. And
she believes there is nothing more
pleasing than spending time with friends
over good food.
Her vision is to be an entrepreneur, a desire she has
been entertaining for some time. Though she had not
started to tread the entrepreneurial track as yet, she
believes that she is capable of offering financial advice to
women who dream of becoming successful. Her most
important message speaks to being cautious and
frugal with one’s spending power.
“Women, you need to start
spending wisely,” the
doyenne advises.
21
THE GLEANER’S FLAIR MAGAZINE • MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018
D
istinguished
THE
Sports
Elaine Thompson
A talented track doyenne
PHOTO BY
KENYON HEMANS/
PHOTOGRAPHER