Jamaican sprinter destined for gold pulls out of Olympic 100m race leaving coach in dark
There has been a shock withdrawal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gold medal contender Shericka Jackson will not take part in the 100 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Jamaican track and field team manager Ludlow Watts has confirmed the news, but admitted she was unaware of the reason why.
"All the information that we can provide is that she is not going to participate in the 100 meters," Watts told Reuters.
"I don't know the reasons. I'm just dealing with what is the outcome."
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Jackson clocked a season's best time of 10.84 seconds to win the 100m at the Jamaican trials this year. But in a meeting in Hungary this month, she pulled up with a calf injury, later citing cramp.
Jackson won bronze over 100m at the delayed Tokyo Games, and has taken silver at each of the past last world championships. She was also a world champion over 200m in both 2022 and 2023.
As it stands, she remains entered into the longer distance race. Watts also confirmed that Shashalee Forbes would replace Jackson in the 100m.
The news is a potential boost to American world champion Sha'Carri Richardson, who holds the world leading time of 10.71 seconds this year. The 24-year-old is the outright favourite for the 100m title in France.
But the withdrawal of Jackson, 30, is another blow to organisers. The news comes on the same day that Nigeria's Favour Ofili said she will not compete in the same race after her country's athletics federation failed to properly enter her in the event.
She took to social media to express her anger, writing: "It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 metres at this Olympic Games.
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"I qualified but those with the AFN (Athletics Federation of Nigeria and NOC (National Olympic Committee) failed to enter me. I have worked for 4 years to earn this opportunity. For what?"
The track and field events in Paris begin on Thursday, August 1. The opening races in the women's race are scheduled for the following day.