KINGSTON, Jamaica – Shericka Jackson is unlikely to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games, which is halfway through the track and field schedule at Stade de France, says Bruce James, president of MVP Track Club.

Speaking with TVJ on Monday, James reported that the national record holder and two-time World Championships women’s 200m champion was still feeling discomfort from the injury she picked up while competing at a meet in Hungary a month ago.

He said the prospects of her running the relays were unlikely. “It would be safer for Jamaica not to have her running; the worst thing to happen is to have Shericka running the anchor leg of the 4x100m and not being able to finish.”

Jackson, who had given up her spot in the 100m to Shashalee Forbes, was a late withdrawal from the women’s 200m on Sunday, leaving only Niesha Burgher and Lanae-Tava Thomas to contest the event.

James said despite many attempts at getting her ready, Jackson was unable to take her place at the starting line.

“It was decided, as a precaution, not to run the 100m. When she got to the 200m heats, she got to the warm-up area and the faster she ran, the more her legs started to hurt, and we have to put the health and welfare of the athlete first. Putting her out there to get further injured just would be irresponsible, so we made the responsible decision to have her not run.”

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will also not compete in the event.

Ian Kelly, Chef de Mission of Jamaica’s team to this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, also confirmed the news. He shared that while Jackson and Fraser-Pryce are out, but other athletes in the pool can make a formidable team, including Kemba Nelson, who flew into Paris this week.

“Yes, Shelly-Ann and Shericka are out, but we brought in Kemba [Nelson] this week, and we have other athletes within the pool. We are doing the necessary to ensure that the experience and strength that those two super athletes would have brought to the team are represented well for our country.”

He said that Shashalee Forbes, Alana Reid, Kemba Nelson, and Tia Clayton will compete in the event, which starts on Thursday.

-Paul A Reid and Robert Bailey