Thompson-Herah sets Glasgow defending titles target
Sprinting legend and reigning double Commonwealth champion Elaine Thompson-Herah has confirmed she will attempt to defend her titles at Glasgow 2026.
Sprinting legend and reigning double Commonwealth champion Elaine Thompson-Herah has confirmed she will attempt to defend her titles at Glasgow 2026.
The Jamaican, made her Commonwealth Games debut at Glasgow 2014, where she was part of her nation’s 4x100m title-winning team, before claiming relay silver at Gold Coast 2018.
Thompson-Herah then became the first woman in history to win back-to-back Olympic 100m and 200m titles by backing up her Rio 2016 successes at Tokyo 2020.
However, in the years since claiming the individual double at Birmingham 2022, she has endured injury challenges and missed Paris 2024 after suffering an Achilles tear.
Following a 20-month-long injury rehabilitation the now 33-year-old will make her major event return at the World Relays in Botswana this weekend and use the contest as part of her preparations for the Commonwealth Games in July.
“It’s been a rough one, but I’ve overcome that,” Thompson-Herah stated at a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Athletics Relays, where she will contest the women’s 4x100m.
“I’m feeling good, I’m pretty excited, I have no pain and once the pain is gone, Elaine is capable of anything.”
The five-time Olympic champion continued; “I’m using this season as a stepping-stone with my recovery, but while I’m being patient and humble, I’m of course hungry as well.
“I want to go out there, have some fun races, get some medals and of course defend my titles, like at the Commonwealths, because I’m the defending (100m and 200m) champion.”
Thompson-Herah is the fastest woman alive over the 100m (10.54 seconds), and holds the Olympic record for the event (10.61 secs).
She attained her Birmingham 2022 100m title in a time of 10.95, which was 0.06 secs quicker than silver medallist Julien Alfred, who went on to claim the Olympic crown in the event at Paris 2024.
With the Saint Lucian sprinter already confirming her intention to run at Glasgow 2026, it sets up the tantalising prospect of another incredible head-to-head battle when the women’s 100m (27-28 July) and 200m (29-31 July) events take place this summer.
“After running 10.54 (in 2021), it’s been a challenge because it did take a toll on my body and my Achilles was not giving me anything, but pretty much not competing last year, I think, has probably done a lot for me,” says Thompson-Herah.
“I needed that rest, that time away from the sport to clear myself and come back, so this season is a rebuilding process and I don’t want to rush things too much, but I do have expectations.
“It’s not a (World) championship season, but we have Commonwealths,” continues Thompson-Herah.
“Once I’m healthy, it’s gonna be an exciting season and I’m just (going to be) unleashing the beasts, one-by-one, day-by-day.”
