Fraser Pryce could skip sprint double in Rio
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former World Championship 200m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce could be skipping the sprint double at the Rio Olympic Games next month after she opted not to run the finals of the event at the JAAA National Senior Championships on Sunday.
Both Fraser-Pryce and her MVP training partner Elaine Thompson winner of the women’s 100m on Friday night in a new personal best and joint National Record 10.70 seconds, pulled out of the 200m on Sunday’s final day of the four day championships.
While a medical exemption was submitted for Thompson none was sought for Fraser-Pryce says MVP club president Bruce James who said in an email “A medical exemption was submitted for Elaine as she meets the requirements for a medical exemption in the 200m. No medical exemption was submitted for Shelly Ann as she does not meet the JAAA stated criteria for a medical exemption in the 200m”.
Meanwhile James said concerns over the health of both athletes prompted the decision to hold them out of the 200m on Sunday, “In both cases the athletes health was the number one concern.
“Shelly Ann’s toe continued to be in great pain and Elaine’s hamstring was hurting. The doctor actually examined Elaine at the warm up area by Stadium East on Sunday and instructed her and the coaching staff not to let her run based on the risk of further injury”.
Olympic and World Championship gold medallist Veronica Campbell Brown- 22.80 seconds with Kali Davis-White third in 22.94 seconds.
Paul Reid