Paris 2024: “To protect my body”- Shericka Jackson on decision to withdraw from Women’s 100 Metres

Shericka Jackson has revealed that the need to protect herself from an injury is the reason she pulled out of the 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Jamaican sprint queen had initially been scheduled to run both 100m and 200m but has pulled out of the former in what is a blow to her country as she is one of their medal prospects.

Jackson, who won silver in 100m at the 2023 World Championships, explained that her experience in Hungary early this month, where she had muscle cramps and failed to finish her race, played a part in her decision to stick to one race.

“The decision is just to protect my body. As I’ve said for the last three years, I’ve been competing in both events. It’s a combination of both just focusing on one event and what happened in Hungary,” Jackson told CITIUS Mag.

Following her withdrawal, Jackson will now be replaced by Shashalee Forbes with Jamaica now left with veteran Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce as their most experienced runner in 100m after defending champion Elaine Thompson-Herah withdrew from the Olympics due to an injury.

Meanwhile, Jackson has shrugged off any talk of breaking a world record at the Olympics, despite having the second-fastest time in history.

“With all honesty, I don’t think there’s a world record coming,” added Jackson, whose 200m time of 21.41 seconds is the second fastest in history.

Jackson won bronze in 100m at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics but has since become the woman to beat in 200m where she is currently the world champion.