Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith exclusive: Africa's greatest female sprinter feels 'blessed' despite 'tough year'
The sprinter from Cote d'Ivoire spoke exclusively to Olympics.com about her physical and mental health struggles, and how chatting with Jamaican star Shericka Jackson helped her. The 35-year-old will compete at the inaugural women’s track event in New York on 26 September.
Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith has become synonymous with overcoming adversity, while at the same time inspiring as one of the Africa’s greatest female sprinters.
She battled through yet another injury to reach the final of the 100m at Paris 2024, her third Olympic Games, after enduring her most difficult year to date.
“I have been injured all this season, since March-April after the World Relays, but I kept pushing,” she said in an interview with Olympics.com at the Diamond League Final in Brussels on Saturday (14 September).
“I kept pushing, and I think it was not enough at the Olympics, because nothing was enough this year.”
Since her stellar 2017 season, when she earned two World Championship silvers in the 100m and 200m, she has faced numerous near misses and a series of unfortunate injuries.
The Ivorian sprinter always powers through challenges with her head held high, proudly bearing the hopes of a continent and battling against the odds stacked against her.
“I have been struggling after the Olympics. I didn't want to continue my season. But I did. It’s not always about winning, it's about not giving up, about giving your best every day, every time you pursue your dreams.”
Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith on her pain-filled season and disappointing year
Since Ta Lou-Smith has not had the best of luck in recent years, the 35-year-old knows well the agony of finishing fourth at the Olympics and the World Championships.
After an outstanding 2015 season, she was ready for her crowning moment at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Touted as a medal contender, she finished fourth in both of her races.
Ta Lou-Smith was forth again in the 100m at Tokyo 2020, where she dropped to fifth in the half lap. The curse of fourth place returned to haunt her at last year’s World championships in the shorter race.
The Paris 2024 Olympics was another chance for redemption, or so she thought, but it didn’t quite materialise. She faded to eighth in the 100m and, regrettably, opted out of the 200m.
“This year has been a tough year for me” she candidly admitted her struggles in a chat with Olympics.com after finishing third in the 100m and being disqualified in the 200m for lane violation. “I have been [through] ups and downs in my career, but this year has been harder because I hard to work really hard to be here.”
She hoped to carry on her steady build-up from 2023, when she won four Diamond League races in the 100m into during the Olympic year.
“I did whatever I had to do to come back. Before the Olympics, [the doctor] thought it was too close, but I made it happen. At the beginning of the year, I would not have imagined not being part of the Olympics, or not being able to have any medals.”
Marie Jose Ta-Lou-Smith on how a tete-e-tete with Shericka Jackson deepened her focus on mental health
That was just another fight in the life of Ta Lou-Smith, the accidental sprinter. Her brother dragged her from the football pitch in her hometown of Abidjan to the tracks.
Then she had to convince her mother, who single-handedly raised her and her three siblings, to let her run after opting out of medical school.
Showing promise in her continental and global races, she began sprinting to greatness. But persistent injuries constantly held her back.
“Since I started track and field, I never ran without any injury. People don't know that. Always, I have an injury, a personal problem. I can cry all night.
“And the next day you see me smiling, you don't know what I'm going through because I tell myself, ‘People have other bigger problems than me’.”
After years of struggling, facing mental anguish and bearing physical pain, Ta Lou-Smith, who last won the women's 100m Grand Prix in Brescia on 8 September, is finally ready to face her fears.
“I remember speaking with Shericka (Jackson) for about 30 minutes on the track and just, holding each other. She told me, ‘You need to speak to people, you need to speak to someone’. Because all the time I say, ‘OK, I'm a Christian, I speak to God’. But this year I think I need to speak to a therapist, when I hear people talk about mental health I say, 'I am a Christian, I speak to God'. Even my spiritual dad, he told me I need to speak to someone as I am going through a lot.”
Building on the ‘Ta Lou effect’ to inspire a new generation of sprinters
Before she embarks on her healing journey and the twilight of her illustrious career, the reigning African 100m record holder is still motivated to seek an elegant way to end her racing season.
Ta Lou-Smith, whose initial claim to fame was becoming the double sprints champion at the 2015 African Games, wants to continue inspiring a new generation of African female sprinters.
“I would say I'm blessed because, whether I win a medal or not, people keep sending me positive messages that keep me going, and I really appreciate it. Seeing messages like, ‘Oh, you are a true inspiration…we look up to you because you do not give up,’ motivates me. I know that sometimes I finish fourth and don’t make the podium, but I keep showing up. The legacy I leave behind is what motivates me, along with my love for the sport and inspiring others not to give up.”
“Even if someone say, ‘you will not make it!’, just show them that you can make it because life is not about always giving up. It's about working hard, sacrifice, and making yourself available to push your body to achieve your dreams."
She is indeed looking ahead with optimism, hoping to produce one last good race for the year at the inaugural women’s track event in New York on 26 September.
“I just want to enjoy every competition and not pressure myself with thoughts like, ‘Oh, I need to run because I need the money or something else.’ When I started, my coach at the time, who is no longer alive, told me not to rush after money. He said, ‘Let your work and results speak for themselves, and they will give you what you need,’” she said, referring to her long-time former coach Anthony Koffi, who passed away last year.
“I am just here trying to beat my personal best, and the rest will come.”
Ta Lou-Smith, who married her US-based Trinidadian partner last November, is excited for the off-season and eager to return to the track with renewed cheerfulness.
“I am trying to think of me a lot this year, take care of myself and enjoy the moment…So one more race in New York and then I am off finally for honeymoon.”