Five-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah has chosen to be coached by Reynaldo Walcott of the Elite Performance Track Club, following her recent separation from coach Shanikie Osbourne.
The decision was officially announced by Thompson-Herah’s management team, Andi Sports Management, on Monday.
Walcott, who also serves as the coach for Jamaican sprinting icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, as well as hurdlers Rasheed Broadbell and Rushell Clayton, among others, is a respected figure in the world of track and field coaching.
‘Extremely excessive’ compensation package
The split between Thompson-Herah and Osbourne reportedly occurred due to a breakdown in negotiations between the athlete’s team and Osbourne. It is said that Osbourne had demanded an “extremely excessive” compensation package to continue as Thompson-Herah’s coach, a request that was not met, ultimately leading to the termination of Osbourne’s contract. The interim coach had denied the claim.
With her exceptional track record and numerous accolades, including double gold medals at both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, Thompson-Herah’s decision to join forces with Walcott is expected to be a significant development in her ongoing athletic journey. As she embarks on this new coaching partnership, fans, and the athletic community will keenly watch to see how this collaboration impacts her future performances on the track.
