Dual Olympic champion Elaine Thompson has some advice for rising Aussie star Riley Day

SELF-PROCLAIMED sprint queen and dual Olympic champion Elaine Thompson has some advice for rising Aussie star Riley Day.

“My advice to Riley: stay focused, work hard and just achieve your goals.”

They’re only a few words but coming from self-proclaimed sprint queen and dual Olympic champion Elaine Thompson, they will be like gold to rising Aussie star Riley Day.

Day will face Thompson not just on the Gold Coast but in a pre-Games meet in Brisbane on Wednesday, two days before her 18th birthday.

And the Jamaican was happy to dispense advice to the Commonwealth Games newcomer.

The Beaudesert teen, who won the sprint double at the Games trials last month to snare the inaugural Betty Cuthbert medal, is emerging as a rare talent and faces the biggest challenge of her young career on the Gold Coast next month.

Riley Day is facing a huge challenge. Picture: AAP

Asked what advice she would give the youngster, Thompson said: “My advice to Riley, stay focused, work hard and just achieve your goals.”

Thompson is yet to decide whether she will contest the sprint double at the Games but if she races the 200m she will add to a crack field that will give Day another taste of elite competition.

The Beaudesert teen made her senior international debut at last year’s world championships where she was run out in the heats as eventual champion, Dutch woman Dafne Schippers, scorched past.

Day has continued to improve at a rapid rate, though, and will be keen to test herself against a field that could include Thompson, England’s Dina Asher-Smith and Bahamian Shaunae Miller.

“Probably my biggest rival for the 200m would be Dina Asher-Smith from Great Britain and Elaine Thompson from Jamaica as well,” Day said.

Jamaican champion Elaine Thompson training at Runaway Bay. Picture: Getty Images

“They are a lot older than me but they are very good athletes. It will be tough competition all round. I’m going to have to bring my A game to get to the final.”

That remains Day’s aim though after a strong post-trials preparation.

“I’d really love to get in to the final but I can only do what I can do on the day,” she said.

“I’ll just give it my best and that’s really all I can do. It would be awesome to be in that final, it would be the best experience.”

Thompson has been in Day’s shoes.

Part of the Jamaican relay team for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 at 22, the event acted as a springboard for Thompson who won silver in the 200m at the world championships the following year before her double gold at the Rio Olympics.

Thompson has rarely run so early in the season but regards the Games as a crucial part of her 2018 season.

“It is important because it’s our main championship (for the year) and after the championship we can work hard for Diamond League and other races,” she said.

“It’s my first time to have a major championship in April, so I’m looking forward to seeing how I do early in the season.”

Originally published as Dual Olympic champion Elaine Thompson has some advice for rising Aussie star Riley Day