Thiam Drops Out of World's Heptathlon Shock

Nafissatou "Nafi" Thiam

In a surprising turn that has left the athletics community stunned, Belgium's Nafissatou "Nafi" Thiam, the reigning triple Olympic heptathlon champion, has withdrawn from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 30-year-old star exited after just five events on September 20, 2025, citing a mix of poor performance and off-track issues. This unexpected withdrawal ends her quest for a third world title and breaks an impressive streak of international podium finishes, showcasing the intense pressure elite athletes face. As fans and experts analyze the decision, we look at Thiam's journey in Tokyo, the reasons behind her withdrawal, and what this means for her legendary career.

Thiam's departure came suddenly after the long jump, the fifth event in the grueling heptathlon, which combines seven disciplines over two days. Listed as "Did Not Start" for the javelin throw and 800m run, she was withdrawn by her coach, leaving the field without one of its brightest stars. At the time, Thiam sat in eighth place overall, a long way from her usual dominance, trailing leader Anna Hall of the USA by 377 points.

The heptathlon, known for testing versatility in sprints, jumps, throws, and endurance, started promisingly for Thiam but fell apart on day two. Her decision to step away highlights the mental and physical toll of the sport, especially for someone who has borne the weight of expectations for over a decade.

Thiam's Tokyo campaign started strong on day one. She ran the 100m hurdles in 13.61 seconds, cleared 1.89m in the high jump—matching Hall's mark—and threw 14.62m in the shot put. Her 200m time of 25.52 seconds placed her sixth with 3,818 points overnight.

Day two, however, proved disastrous. In the long jump, Thiam managed only two legal attempts, both under 6 meters (5.92m and 5.99m), well below her personal best of 6.86m. This poor performance sealed her fate, eliminating any realistic chance of climbing the leaderboard. Thiam later reflected, "I've struggled with this heptathlon from the start. I tried to fight it and persevere, but it clearly didn't work." She described the championships as a "real black cloud," hinting at deeper issues beyond the track.

Thiam's withdrawal wasn't just about performance; off-field issues also played a big part. A heated dispute with the Belgian athletics federation over image rights and money matters disrupted her training. Thiam accused the federation of excluding her from a pre-championships training camp and not providing an accredited physiotherapist, claims the federation denied, saying they had proof to the contrary.

This feud increased her mental stress, with Thiam noting that it was "hard to quantify" its impact but acknowledging that her emotional state affected her performance. Also, at 30, Thiam might be shifting her focus to protect her body for future competitions, such as the 2026 European Championships or even the 2028 Olympics, instead of risking injury in a lost cause. Her coach, Roger Lespagnard, didn't hold back, criticizing bluntly: "I am ashamed to be Belgian. You can't prepare for a World Championship like this." He blamed the federation's mismanagement for the poor setup, fueling calls for accountability in Belgian athletics.

Nafissatou Thiam's career is truly remarkable. She burst onto the scene with Olympic gold in Rio 2016, defended it in Tokyo 2020, and won again in Paris 2024, becoming the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic heptathlons. Add to that world titles in 2017 and 2022, as well as three European gold medals, and her record is unmatched. Before Tokyo, she had podiumed at six straight global major events, a streak now interrupted.

Despite this setback, Thiam's resilience remains evident. She has overcome injuries and personal challenges before, and her work ethic—developed from a young age in Namur, Belgium—indicates this is just a bump, not the end.

Thiam's withdrawal opens the door for rivals like Hall, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, and Anouk Vetter to compete for gold, thereby altering the dynamics of the heptathlon. For Belgian athletics, it reveals fractures that could lead to reforms. Globally, it reminds us of the human side of sports: even champions face "dark clouds."

As Thiam reflects and recovers, fans eagerly await her return. With her talent and determination, expect her to bounce back stronger, perhaps aiming for a fourth Olympic gold in 2028.