Elaine Thompson-Herah confirms split from coach Shanikie Osbourne over wage demands

Elaine Thompson-Herah, the double-double Olympic champion, has confirmed the separation from her coach, Shanikie Osbourne, following a breakdown in negotiations over compensation.

The announcement was made by Thompson-Herah's management, Andi Sports Management, in a statement released on Wednesday. The statement also revealed that the search for a new coach is currently in progress.

Thompson-Herah's performance in 2023 had been challenging, as she failed to secure an individual spot on Jamaica's team for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, held in August. During the championships, she enlisted the coaching services of Shanikie Osbourne, which resulted in a significant improvement in her performance.

Separation came as a surprise to many

The separation came as a surprise to many when it became public earlier in the week, though no official confirmation was provided until Wednesday. According to Thompson-Herah's management, the breakdown in negotiations occurred due to a compensation package proposed by Osbourne that was deemed excessively high and inflexible for negotiation.

The statement expressed appreciation for the progress made with Coach Osbourne and thanked her for her contribution to Thompson-Herah's performance. It also highlighted Thompson-Herah's focus on preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and the defense of her Olympic titles.

The statement read, "Once our search is complete and a final decision is made, we will once again use this medium to officially notify the fans, followers, supporters, and the general public. Rest assured that the best interest of Mrs. Elaine Thompson-Herah supersedes all other concerns, and all decisions will be made to fortify her legacy as one of the world’s premier female athletes."