Do Women in Track “Need a Personality?”
Usain Bolt’s candid comment about his fellow Jamaican athletes made waves in the Track & Field world this past week.
Usain Bolt is undoubtedly the most legendary track athlete of our lifetime. His 8 Olympic medals, records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, and flamboyant personality all contributed to his lasting legacy.
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Bolt has now turned to music as a form of expression. In a recent interview with a UK Magazine, Bolt talked about his new reggae album, Country Yutes. In a press release, he said, “If you have followed my career over the years, you would see me always dancing and listening to music. “It's no secret to the world that I love music.”
When asked about track and field, he praised his fellow Jamaican countrywomen, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. The two stars now account for six of the top-10 official timings recorded in women’s 100m events, ever.
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Similar to Bolt, Elaine Thompson-Herah captured gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay for Jamaica in the 2020 Olympics.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce captured gold as well as a part of the 4x100m relay team for Jamaica, and took home silver in the 100m dash.
Bolt said, “They’re really keeping the sport exciting. All we need is a personality — most of the ladies are really quiet and chill,” Bolt said. “What’s missing is the performance that I always put on that people really love.”
Although he was speaking candidly, Bolt’s comments have a potentially harsh truth to them. American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has been Nike’s darling as of late, receiving her own ad campaign for her comeback to the Diamond League.
Elaine Thompson-Herah, also a Nike athlete, is featured much less prominently, if at all, on Nike’s @NikeRunning Instagram page. Odd, considering her decorated Olympic history, compared to Richardson’s lacktherof.
In the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League race, Thompson Herah in a world-leading time came first, Shelly Ann Fraser-Price came in second and Sherica Jackson placed third. Sha’Carri Richardson came in last, a half second behind Elaine.
Yet, NBC chose to interview Richardson after the race.
Michael Johnson, retired American sprinter and 4x Olympic gold medalist, was vocal in his confusion about NBC’s choices.
The truth of marketing in sports is that attention and popularity often sell more merchandise than accolades. Usain Bolt may have been trying to help his fellow Jamaicans, as a veteran of the sport. His dancing, boisterousness, and overall jest often made him stand out even before the races began.
But the issue doesn’t lie within the Jamaican athletes’ choices to not showboat and standout. The problem is with the global media highlighting anyone for standing out, no matter what the reason.
Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce kept their heads down, worked hard, and made history for it. They serve as role models for young people in track and field, for their hard work paid off. Would it help if they were more vocal about how much fun they’re having? Perhaps. But not everyone is born with the confidence of Usain Bolt.