Meet the Olympian: Nafissatou "Nafi" Thiam
Nafi's Last Dance, a three-peat ambition to Olympic Heptathlon history
In this series, I highlight Olympians for their uniqueness, life stories, potential achievements, and the challenges they must overcome to reach their goals.
First up is Nafissatou (Nafi) Thiam, a current double Olympic (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020), World, and European champion. Nafi, 29, is the daughter of a Senegalese father and a Belgian mother and represents Belgium. A child prodigy, she first announced her name on the world stage at 19, winning the 2013 European Juniors while breaking the world record. Unfortunately, this record was not accepted by the international athletics federation because the organization did not take a doping test on the day of the event. However, the European title was a small step towards becoming one of only four heptathletes to break the magic 7,000-point barrier.
As an athlete, Nafi is technically sophisticated, with the high jump and throwing events (shot put and javelin) being her strongest suits. In recent years, she has worked incredibly hard on her running, especially the 800 meters, an event she has struggled with throughout her career.
A coaching change in 2022 signaled a newfound focus for Thiam. When asked why she moved on from her longtime coach Roger Lespagnard, who she had been working with since the start of her career, Nafi stated
"I am not putting the championships aside, but I am now also thinking about records and wanting to reach the maximum of my potential. And Paris may be my last Games."
A clear message that in the last years of her career, she doesn't only want the gold in Paris but also aims to break American trailblazer Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s magical 7,291 points world record.
Olympic preparations for a third consecutive gold looked gloomy due to an injury-plagued 2023. However, Thiam came back in 2024, shutting down any doubts by winning the European championship in Rome in early June this year. She is ready to be the first ever to win the heptathlon at three consecutive Olympics. On her way to this feat, Thiam will have to overcome challengers such as British powerhouse Katarina Johnson-Thompson (KJT), Anouk Vetter of the Netherlands, and the young American Anna Hall, who are all looking to upset a generational talent.
For me, the heptathlon is one of the most exciting elements of the Olympics, a battle to be recognized as the complete athlete. It is a grueling event that spans two days and includes seven disciplines that test speed, strength, agility, and endurance. On day one, competitors face the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200 meters. Day two challenges them with the long jump, javelin throw, and 800 meters. Each event is a test of versatility and resilience, making the heptathlon a true spectacle of athletic prowess and determination. Thiam is an icon on her way out, still at peak level, making the women's heptathlon in Paris a must-watch event.