2. ELAINE THOMPSON
Thompson emerged the most dominant female sprinter in 2016 after becoming the first woman since Florence Griffith-Joyner, to claim the sprint double at the Olympics. She stunned a stacked field that included defending champion and teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Beijing 2015 Silver medallist, Dafne Schippers, to win the 100m in Rio in the world’s second fastest time in 2016 (10.71s).
Thompson stormed to the 200m title in a World Lead (WL) of 21.78s, exerting revenge over Schippers who had beaten her to 2nd place in the event in Beijing. The 24-year old ended 2016 as the World Leader in the sprint double, and her time of 10.70s clocked at the Jamaican Trials, takes her to 4th position on the 100m all-time list, a position she shares with Fraser-Pryce.
The only women who have clocked faster times in the 100m are Griffith-Joyner (10.49s, 10.61s, 10.62s), Carmelita Jeter (10.64s, 10.67s) and Marion Jones (10.65s). Going by this impressive record, Thompson will be the No.1 female sprinter to watch out for in 2017. Having already qualified for the 100m event ahead of London 2017 by virtue of winning the Diamond Race last year, we may see her compete in more 200m races this year.
And unlike Beijing 2015 where she sat out the 100m, competing only in the 200m, Thompson is most likely gunning for the double in London, having recorded overwhelming success in Rio where she successfully pulled off an upset at her maiden outing at the Games. But with Fraser-Pryce set to return after being plagued with injury for the most part of 2016, Thompson already has her work cut out for her.
The World Indoors Bronze medallist will be saddled with the unenviable task of dethroning Fraser-Pryce and Schippers as World Champions in the 100m and 200m respectively, not forgetting the likes of Tori Bowie also stand an outside chance. Thompson’s feats in 2016 earned her nominations as the IAAF Female Athlete of the Year, and Laureus world sportswoman of the year.
