Thompson is amazing, says Aleen Bailey
Iconic sprinter Usain Bolt will be looking to win a record-equalling sixth RJR Sports Foundation National Sportsman of the Year Award next Friday. The sprint world record holder won a historic triple-triple of consecutive gold medals at last summer’s Olympics in Rio, Brazil, to lead the male nominees.
His win would equal former boxing great Michael McCallum’s mark of six Sportsman of the Year titles.
Bolt won titles in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2015.
Bolt has won 20 world titles, including 11 World Championship medals titles.
It was a stellar year for Jamaican athletes, who, led by Bolt’s three gold medals in the 100, 200 metres, and sprint relay, won 11 medals at the Games.
They included six gold, three silver, and two bronze.
Aleen Bailey, the 2004 Olympic relay gold medal winner, has described 2016 Sportswoman of the Year nominee Elaine Thompson as an amazing young lady.
Bailey believes that Thompson will do well in the future and that she could spearhead Jamaican sprinting when six-time Olympic winner Usain Bolt retires this year.
An Olympic 100 and 200 metre finalist herself in 2004, Bailey has high praise for Thompson and her achievements in 2016.
During an interview earlier this week, Bailey said, “She’s been doing well and representing us well, and I just wish the best for her.”
Thompson sprinted to an undefeated season in the 100, equalling Shelly-Ann FraserPryce’s national record of 10.70 seconds in the process and taking gold at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Though she lost a couple of races over 200 metres, she led the world with her Olympic gold medal winning time of 21.78 seconds. Thompson’s super Olympic campaign has earned her a nomination for the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year award.
She has already been voted the 2016 International Female Athlete of the Year by readers of the British journal, ATHLETICS WEEKLY.
“Based on her build, she reminds me of Usain in how they cover ground, and everything like that,” said Bailey.
The 2004 and 2008 Olympian is certain that good things lie ahead for the 24-year-old Thompson.
“I feel that this year, all our national records in the sprints are going to be gone because she’s an amazing young lady.” Jamaica’s national 200 metre record stands at 21.64 seconds. That’s just 0.02 quicker than Thompson’s personal best of 21.66 seconds.
The existing mark was set by Merlene Ottey in 1991.
Thompson was among the nominees for the 2015 Sportswoman of the Year award won by Fraser-Pryce.
Swimmer Alia Atkinson and 400 metre runner Shericka Jackson, cricketer Stafani Taylor, and Fraser-Pryce complete the list of nominees for the award this time around.