KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s two-time 200m world champion Shericka Jackson says her preparation for the Olympic Games in Paris has been going very well.

Speaking to Observer Online ahead of the closing day of the Boys and Girls Athletics Championships in Kingston, Jackson shared that she was capable of running a world record but noted that it was not something that she was fixated on achieving.

“Preparation has been going really, really well. I can’t complain, things have been looking super in training and I’m excited,” said Jackson.

“I definitely have a world record in the back of my head, if it comes it comes. If not, then I am okay with it,” she added.

Jackson last season targeted the 200m world record 21.34 seconds set in 1988 by the late American Florence Griffiths-Joyner.

She lowered her personal best in the 200m to 21.41 seconds when she copped gold at the Budapest world championships, but ended the season shy of the world record. Although she came up short, Jackson said she took with her positives such as being healthy with the ability to try again this season.

Nastassia Fletcher of Hydel poses after winning the Class 4 girls’ 400m finals at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships in 2023. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Speaking about ones to watch amid the spectacle of Jamaica’s junior talent at ‘Champs’, Jackson said that Nastassia Fletcher of Hydel High captured her attention.

“I think she just moved to class two. Just watching her she is so brave, because last year, I think she was the 400 metre champion. Just to see her become bronze medalist in that first year class two I think is something great,” said Jackson.

“She also made the 400 meters hurdle finals. So I definitely think she was my gold pick at the championships,” added Jackson, who competed in the 400m for most of her career before switching to the sprint double three years ago.