SAINT-DENIS, France — Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a two-time Olympic champion in the 100 meters, had her bid for another title cut short when she withdrew from the semifinal of the event at the Paris Games due to an undisclosed injury.
The announcement was made just moments before she was scheduled to compete against Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred, with the scoreboard displaying “DNS” for “Did Not Start.” Team manager Ludlow Watts confirmed that the team was aware of her injury and that a doctor was looking into the situation.
Julien Alfred went on to win gold, securing victories over Richardson in both the semifinal and the final. Fraser-Pryce, who has previously won gold in 2008 and 2012, had stated that these Games would mark her fifth and final appearance at the Olympics. In an emotional social media post, she expressed her disappointment and gratitude to her supporters, acknowledging their unwavering support since her Olympic debut in 2008.
Prior to her withdrawal, Fraser-Pryce had qualified for the semifinals by finishing second in her initial heat with a time of 10.92 seconds. Earlier that day, there was some confusion as she, along with other athletes, was initially blocked from entering the training track but was later allowed access. Paris organizers clarified that she had mistakenly approached the wrong gate.
Fraser-Pryce has a distinguished Olympic career, boasting a total of eight medals, including a gold in the 4×100 relay at the Tokyo Games in 2021, and she has claimed 16 medals at world championships, five of which are gold in the 100 meters. Her unexpected exit leaves the 100 meters without any of the Jamaican athletes who completed a podium sweep in Tokyo. Reigning champion Elaine Thompson-Herah had previously ended her season due to an Achilles tendon injury, and bronze medalist Shericka Jackson recently announced her focus would shift to the 200 meters instead.