Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson won the 200m event at the Jamaican Olympic trials in Kingston on Sunday evening. With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah not competing, Jackson is poised to be the top contender in the half-lap race in Paris this summer.
The two-time 200m world champion clocked 22.29 seconds (with a 1.6 m/s wind) in the 200m at the trials. At 29 years old, Jackson has already clinched the 100m title, achieving a double victory, and will compete in both events at the Paris Olympics from July 26 to August 11.
With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce concentrating on the 100m and Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah out due to injury, Shericka Jackson didn’t need to exert herself to win against Lanae-Tava Thomas (22.34) and Niesha Burgher (22.39) with a time that was below her usual performance.
Elaine Thompson-Herah, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, shared on social media that she will be absent from Paris 2024 due to an Achilles injury. The Jamaican sprinter, who currently holds Olympic titles in both the 100m and 200m events, disclosed that scans indicated a “small tear on my Achilles tendon” following her participation in the New York Grand Prix earlier this month. As a result, she has decided not to compete in the upcoming Games next month.
In the 100m hurdles, Ackera Nugent delivered an outstanding race, finishing in 12.28 seconds (0.5 m/s wind), setting a national record and placing herself as the 9th best in the event’s history. The 22-year-old Nugent, the 2021 world junior champion, beat Danielle Williams (12.53) and Janeek Brown (12.61), positioning herself as a strong contender for the Olympic podium.
Shericka Jackson’s victory in the 200m at the Jamaican Trials not only showcases her exceptional talent but also solidifies her position as a leading contender for the upcoming Olympics. With her qualification, Jackson is set to represent Jamaica and compete at the highest level in Paris, aiming to bring home glory in both the 100m and 200m events.
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