Five-time Olympic champion and the fastest woman alive, Elaine Thompson-Herah has been conferred with the national honour of Order of Distinction [Commander Class] in Jamaica.
The Banana Ground [Manchester Parish] native became the only woman in history to win back-to-back gold medals in 100m and 200m having won both event at the 2016 Olympic Games [10.71], [21.78] respectively in Rio. She retained both crowns at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, winning in 10.61 [100m] seconds 21.53 seconds in the 200 meters.
The 29-year-old sprinter combined with Briana Williams, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson to win gold for Jamaica in the women’s 4x100m relay final, setting a new national record [41.02] seconds in the process.
Thompson-Herah became the second fastest woman alive on Saturday, August 21 having ran 10.54 seconds to win the Prefontaine Classic, Wanda Diamond League meet in Eugene, Oregon.
Receiving the award award yesterday during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards, Thompson-Herah said she is inspired by the honor and that she’ll use it as a springboard to motivate other women:
“I have been inspired and motivated by powerful women around the world, powerful women from my island home Jamaica,” she said via Instagram.
“I feel so honoured and overjoyed to be given this Order of Distinction [Commander Class] by my nation.
“I now use this classification to help motivate and uplift women and young girls to strive without limits.”
Meanwhile, eight-time Olympic medallist – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was also elevated from from Officer Class to Commander Class with the same award while Jacqueline Pusey who represented Jamaica at two Olympic Games – 1976 in Montreal when she was only 16 years old and in Moscow, 1980 was also recognised.
By James K. Attaglo Wilson
www.sports24ghana.com
