GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson has announced her withdrawal from the 100 meters event at the Paris 2024 Olympics due to an injury sustained earlier last month.
Jackson, however, confirmed that she will still compete in her stronger event, the 200 meters. She remains one of the fastest women in history at this distance, second only to the world-record holder, the late Florence Griffith Joyner, with a sub-21.5 second finish.
The Olympic track events are set to commence on Friday, featuring the opening round of the women’s 100 meters, where Jackson had been ranked as the second favorite behind world champion Sha’Carri Richardson. Her decision to withdraw follows an incident three weeks ago in Hungary where she pulled up with an apparent injury during a race.
“It was a combination of things,” Jackson explained. “I got hurt, and me and my coach felt like it was a good decision to only run one event.”
Jackson had secured national titles in both the 100 meters and 200 meters earlier this year, positioning her as a key contender among the formidable Jamaican sprinters. Her absence now places greater focus on her compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is competing in her fifth and final Olympics. Fraser-Pryce won the 100 meters in both 2008 and 2012.
Jackson’s coach, Stephen Francis, had earlier remarked to the Jamaica Gleaner that Jackson “appears OK to me,” yet Jackson emphasized that the decision to withdraw was mutually agreed upon by both her and Francis.
At 30, Jackson boasts a commendable track record, having won bronze in the 100 meters at the Tokyo Olympics and silver behind Fraser-Pryce at the 2022 World Championships. She has also claimed the last two world titles in the 200 meters.
The opening round for the 200 meters is scheduled for Sunday, with the semifinals and final set for the following Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
