Photos & Video: USATF Meet Press Conference

April 27, 2024

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Paul Doyle, the American Track League founder, has explained the absence of Jamaican superstar sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah from the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix.

Thompson-Herah, the fastest woman alive, was expected to be among the elite athletes competing at the Flora Duffy Stadium tomorrow [April 28], with athletics fans excited about watching the double Olympic champion in action.

“We were told by her sponsors she would be coming,’’ Doyle told a press conference yesterday.

“We’ve been in negotiations with them for a long time. As we got closer to the event, we heard rumblings that she may not be ready, but we thought right up until yesterday she would be ready.

“Yesterday, we were informed she’s not going to be here. We give athletes opportunities; we never force them to be here when they’re not ready to be here.

“For that reason, we still have great athletes here, we’re still going to have a great event.”

American Noah Lyles, beaten by compatriot Christian Coleman in the 100 metres last year, will be among the main attractions in the absence of Thompson-Herah.

The 26-year-old, who bronze in the 200 at the rescheduled Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, said: “It’s all passion and ambition, I have a strong ambition for whatever I touch, whatever I find interesting, I do it to the best of my ability,’’ Lyles said.

“It’s constantly driving myself. I’ll say, ‘Okay, we did things this way, how much better can we improve.’ I push myself so hard that nobody can touch me.”

All eyes will also be on American female sprinters Abby Steiner, the US indoor record holder in the 200 and 300, and Tamari Davies, who won the 100 last year and will also compete in the 200.

Meanwhile, Grenada’s Kirani James promises to be a showstopper in the men’s 400 as he builds towards the Olympics in Paris this summer.

James won medals at the previous three Olympics, including gold at the London Games in 2012.

“I take care of myself, my body, and just trying not to put too much pressure on myself,’’ James said.

“Maybe I’m just blessed to be who I am and to be a part of the sport. Even the opportunity to be here is a blessing for me.”