Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson has officially withdrawn from the 200-meter race, meaning she will not compete for an individual medal at the Paris Summer Olympics. This decision follows her earlier exit from the 100-meter event, which she had initially intended to focus on.
A strong contender for the 200-meter title, Jackson had expressed confidence about her fitness after stepping back from the 100-meter race, where she secured a bronze medal during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She emphasized her desire to compete at her highest level for the 200 meters despite dealing with hamstring issues leading up to the Olympics.
Speaking to Olympics.com, Jackson noted, “It’s a combination of a lot of stuff… I just [want] to compete at my best, as everybody is here to win.” Whether her hamstring trouble influenced her decision to withdraw from the 200-meter race remains unclear.
At age 30, Jackson still has the opportunity to participate in the women’s 4×100 relay scheduled for Thursday, alongside fellow Jamaican athlete Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
TIME has reached out to Jackson for statements regarding her withdrawal and her plans for the relay.
Fraser-Pryce, a two-time Olympic champion in the 100 meters, also withdrew from her individual race just before the semi-finals on Saturday. Team USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson, considered a gold medal favorite, finished with the silver medal, while Julien Alfred from St. Lucia won gold, marking a historic achievement as it was the first medal for her country.
“I’m still trying to think of what just happened,” said Alfred after her stunning victory at the Stade de France. “It hasn’t sunk in yet.”
With Jackson out of the 200 meters, the path is now clearer for Alfred to pursue another medal for St. Lucia and for Team USA’s Gabby Thomas, who successfully advanced to the 200-meter finals with a time of 22.20 seconds.
During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Team Jamaica secured all nine of its medals in track events, comprising four gold, one silver, and four bronze medals. However, with the withdrawals of both Fraser-Pryce and Jackson, in addition to gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah’s earlier exit from the Paris games, Team Jamaica’s usual supremacy on the track is facing significant challenges.