#ParisOlympics: ‘My Olympic dream has been shattered’ says Jackson
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson lamented the unexpected and disappointing end to her 2024 Paris Olympics campaign in a heartfelt message posted to her Instagram account on Friday.
Jackson, who was the favourite to win the 200m at the Olympics pulled out of the event due to an injury, presumably the same one that caused her to withdraw from the 100m earlier.
In her short statement, Jackson opened with a question, “Should I accept the good and not the bad?” before speaking about her hope of medalling at the Olympics following her splendid performance at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Trials in June.
“My 2024 Olympic dream has been shattered. In my 10 years as a senior athlete, I have enjoyed the highest highs and some of the lowest lows. From winning World Championship and Olympic gold medals, to not performing at my very best,” Jackson wrote.
“Having won the sprint double at the 2024 Jamaican Olympic Trials, I was hopeful that I would earn three more Olympic medals for Jamaica Land I Love. However, injury intervened,” she continued.
Jackson, who is the fastest woman alive over the 200m, and the World Champion in the event had come under heavy criticism from fans after news broke that she would not be competing in either of the sprint events at the Olympics.
She expressed gratitude for the feedback, both good and bad, that she has received regarding her inability to compete at these Olympic Games.
“The feedback to my inability to compete here in Paris has been both encouraging and discouraging. I sincerely thank everyone who has encouraged me at this most challenging time, especially my sponsors Puma, Scotiabank, Wata and Omega, my coach and the entire team at the MVP Track & Field Club, my family, my friends and very importantly my fans in Jamaica and around the world,” Jackson said.
“My primary focus now is a complete recovery,” she concluded.
It was confirmed by Ian Kelly, Chef de Mission of Jamaica’s Olympic team in Paris, that Jackson exited the Olympic Village on Thursday.
