PARIS, CMC—Jamaican sprint star Shericka Jackson said protecting her body was one of the reasons she opted out of the marquee women’s 100 meters at the Paris Olympics, stressing she was “at peace” with the decision.
The 30-year-old, the reigning World 200-meter champion, announced Wednesday she would not compete in the 100 meters—an event in which she took silver at the last two World Championships in Budapest and Oregon and bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“I think the decision is just to protect my body. For the last three years, I’ve been competing in both events …,” Jackson said.
“I’m always at peace. As I said, you must make the best decisions for your body, mind, and soul. I’m ok with the decision …”
Jackson, who has never won Olympic gold but is heavily favored to do so in the 200 meters, said other factors were involved in her decision to forego the straight sprint but opted not to divulge them.
She was quoted as saying, “It was a combination of so much stuff that I personally don’t want to talk about.”
“Sometimes you have to go through a rocky road to get where you’re trying to go, and my rocky road has happened to me.”
Jackson, who will be replaced in the 100 meters by Shashalee Forbes, has run a season-best of 10.84, the performance coming at the Jamaica trials.
She is one of the headliners of the track and field component of the Paris Games, along with fellow countrywoman Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will compete at age 37.
Reigning 100m World champion Sha’Carri Richardson, an American, will join the Jamaican duo in attempting to steal the headlines, especially after her world-leading 10.71 at the United States trials.
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