Heptathlon star Nafi Thiam’s silence raises questions ahead of World Championships
Belgian heptathlon star Nafissatou Thiam will not compete at the Décastar in Talence this July, her camp confirmed. The news is another extension of a competitive absence that has lasted since her historic Olympic gold in Paris nearly ten months ago, RTBF and Le Soir report.
Having already skipped the prestigious Götzis meeting last weekend, the three-time Olympic champion now withdraws from the last major heptathlon event before the World Championships in Tokyo this September. According to her management, her return date remains unknown: “We will inform you as soon as we know her first competitions.”
Thiam has not competed since 9 August 2024 and has offered little public information, save for a few social media posts. This silence has fuelled speculation around her form and fitness, especially as she had initially indicated plans to contest at least one heptathlon ahead of the Worlds.
Athletics commentator Fred Xhonneux told RTBF that while early-season results aren’t essential for an athlete of Thiam’s calibre, the complete lack of information is concerning. “We don’t know anything, but we hope everything is fine,” he said. He also noted she may simply be timing her peak for Tokyo.
Thiam is currently training in South Africa but is expected back in Europe soon. Belgian Athletics, the governing body for athletics in the country, have offered her a place at the European Team Championships later this month, but she declined. Her only confirmed appearance remains a long jump outing at Brussels’ Memorial Van Damme on 22 August.
Gold medal winner Nafissatou Thiam celebrates after the 800m, the seventh and final event of the women's heptathlon, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS