In Pictures: Elaine Thompson-Herah flaunts her natural hair during an off-season outing after missing out on title defense at the Paris Olympics

Elaine Thompson-Herah flaunted her natural afro-textured hair while vacationing in Portland, a parish on Jamaica's northeast coast. This came after the Olympian suffered an Achilles tendon injury in June and missed qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Thompson-Herah, the fastest woman alive in the 100m, had a successful Tokyo Olympics campaign in 2021, where she defended both her 100m and 200m titles. However, her stint at the 2024 New York Grand Prix left her with an Achilles tendon injury, putting her 2024 Jamaican trials participation at stake.

The five-time Olympic champion opted out of the 100m and 200m at the 2024 Jamaican Track and Field trials due to persisting injury, losing her opportunity to defend her titles for the second consecutive time in Paris.

After her Olympic heartbreak, Thompson-Herah stepped out for a fun time in Jamaica, showing off her afro-textured puffs in an Instagram picture series. Donning a multi-colored rib knit top and green shorts, the 32-year-old posed in different settings in Portland, a picturesque parish on the northeast coast of Jamaica.

"Enjoying my little island," her caption read.

In one of her Instagram stories, she was seen pulling strands of hair with the caption:

"The puff is out today"

Elaine Thompson-Herah flaunting her afro-textured hair; Instagram - @fastelaine

Another story featured her in a Jamaican-themed bikini, seated on a rock at Somerset Falls, Hope Bay in Portland.

Elaine Thompson-Herah in a bikini; Instagram - @fastelaine

In a couple of stories, the Olympian was seen washing her afro-textured hair at Somerset Falls.

Elaine Thompson-Herah washing her hair at Somerset Falls; Instagram - @fastelaine Athletics - Commonwealth Games: Day 10 - Source: Getty Elaine TAthletics - Commonwealth Games: Day 10 - Source: Getty

One of Thompson-Herah's recent wins came at the 2024 Brussels Diamond League, where she clocked 10.84s to take the 100m win after pulling out of major 2023 races due to injury.

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Elaine Thompson-Herah once shared how she channeled disappointment into motivation

Elaine Thompson-Herah at the Athletics - Commonwealth Games Day 8 - Source: Getty

The Achilles tendon injury that kept her out of the 2024 Paris Olympics, has hindered her performances since 2016. She didn't make it to the podium at the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships and could only clinch the 100m bronze and 4x100m relay silver at the 2022 edition.

Before defending her sprint titles at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the five-time World medalist talked about her mindset of channeling her disappointments into motivation and getting back in better shape.

"Disappointment makes you better and stronger. I have learnt how to use the disappointment to motivate me, keep working hard and getting better.” (via Olympics Channel from Jamaica)

She further shared:

"Disappointments do come, but I have to continue to work hard because no athlete goes into a championship to lose. I didn't go to a championship to lose."

Thompson-Herah didn't participate in most Diamond League races in 2024, having ended her season with the New York Grand Prix.