Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, the nation’s fastest 100m runner of the year, has officially withdrawn from the 100 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Jackson, who won the 100m at the Jamaican Olympic Trials with a time of 10.84 seconds, will now focus solely on the 200m.
The decision to withdraw from the 100m event was confirmed by Jamaica’s team manager Ludlow Watts, who spoke with @TvjNewscentre.
Watts stated, “(Jackson) has given up her place in the 100 meters… all the information that we can provide is that she is not going to participate in the 100m.”
Shericka Jackson, Jamaica's fastest 100m runner of the year, will not run the 100 meters at the Paris Olympics.
She will be replaced by Shashalee Forbes on the Jamaican women's 100m team and will now focus on the 200m.#3SportsGH #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/MSwM4e9ZLh
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) July 31, 2024
Shashalee Forbes will take Jackson’s place on the Jamaican women’s 100m team. Forbes, who finished fourth at the Jamaican trials, has a season’s best of 11.03 seconds, achieved during the heats of the trials.
Her selection comes as a significant shift, given that Shericka Jackson was expected to be a leading contender in the 100m dash.
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Jackson’s decision allows her to concentrate on the 200m, a distance where she has shown exceptional form. The 200m will see her attempt to add to her achievements, potentially securing a prominent position in her favoured event.
The heats of the women’s 100m are scheduled to commence on August 2 at 11:50 a.m. local Paris time.
Jackson’s absence from the 100m creates a notable change in the event, with Forbes stepping in as Jamaica aims to maintain a strong presence in track and field at the Paris Olympics.
