Burgher, Thomas accept 200m burden after Shericka’s late withdrawal

PARIS, France — Following the sudden withdrawal of reigning world champion Shericka Jackson from the Women’s 200m, all hopes rest on the shoulders of Niesha Burgher and Lanae-Tava Thomas to lead Jamaica’s charge for a medal in the event at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Jamaica’s team manager Ludlow Watts said he was only advised of Jackson’s withdrawal from the 200m shortly before the start of the event on Sunday.

And up to when the Observer spoke to Watts, he said an “adequate” explanation had not yet been communicated to him.

“It was a surprise to many, including the technical leader [Maurice Wilson], because I don’t think there was an adequate reason, but we will have further discussions later,” Watts told the Jamaica Observer. “Coming up to the Games, we would always expect Shericka to be a medallist, so that again would be a blow to our plans and the overall performance of the team.

“I think the withdrawal came about shortly before the race was due to start, and we are not fully apprised of the reason,” he said.

Jackson, the fastest woman alive over the 200m, also pulled out of the 100m competition last week.

Burgher and Thomas are to contest the semi-finals of the 200m — scheduled to begin 1:45 pm on Monday — after creditable performances in the heats on Sunday.

Burgher will enter the semi-finals with a time of 22.54 seconds after finishing second in her heat behind American gold medal favourite Gabrielle Thomas, who won in 22.20.

According to Burgher, her main focus is to reach the final, and once she achieves that, anything is possible from there. “With Shericka pulling out, that is sad news, and I hope that she is well. I am just going to take it step by step and whatever comes,” she said. “I felt great about the first round because I just followed my coach’s instructions. There is no pressure on me; I am just taking it race by race because the aim is to make the final and win a medal,” Burgher said.

The 23-year-old Lanae-Tava Thomas reached the semi-finals after finishing second in her heat in 22.70. The race was won by American Brittany Brown in 22.38.

Thomas said she was not pleased with her performance in the heat and is looking to put on a much better showing in the semi-finals.

“I am feeling good, and I feel like I can do a lot better than I did today,” she said. “I feel like I need to get rid of whatever is in my system, get strong, and get faster, and I think I will be good. I don’t think there is any added pressure because I think all the pressure is kind of on me and Niesha since we made the team, so I don’t think there is anything different. Niesha and I are going to do the best that we can medal,” she said.

MONDAY’S SCHEDULE

RACK AND FIELD

3:05am – M 400m Hurdles Heats ***

3:10am – M Discus Throw Qualification – Group A ***

3:40am – W Pole Vault

3:50am – W 400m Hurdles Repechage Round

4:20am – M 400m Repechage Round

4:35am – M Discus Throw Qualification – Group B

4:55am – W 400m Heats ***

5:50am – W 200m Repechage Round

12:00pm – M Pole Vault FINAL

12:04pm – M 3000m Steeplechase Heats