SAINT-DENIS, France — Two-time Olympic 100-meter champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s pursuit of another title came to an abrupt end on Saturday when she withdrew before the 100-meter semifinal at the Paris Games.
Olympic officials reported that she sustained an undisclosed injury. The scoreboard displayed “DNS” — “Did Not Start” — just moments before she was set to compete against Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred in the evening’s second semifinal.
“We only received information that she is injured, but a team doctor is addressing the issue, and we will provide further details,” team manager Ludlow Watts informed the Jamaica Observer.
Julien Alfred went on to defeat Richardson in both the semifinal and the final to secure the gold medal.
Fraser-Pryce, who claimed gold medals in 2008 and 2012, had announced this would be her fifth and final Olympics. Early Sunday morning, she expressed her gratitude to her supporters in a social media post but did not elaborate on her injury.
“It is difficult for me to find the words to describe the depth of my disappointment,” she posted. “I know that my supporters share and shoulder this disappointment with me. I am truly blessed to have had the steadfast support of my fans since my Olympic debut in 2008. With every step and win, you have all been there for me.”
Fraser-Pryce advanced easily through the first round the day before, finishing second in her heat with a time of 10.92 seconds.
Earlier on Saturday, Fraser-Pryce was among several athletes initially prevented from entering the training track, according to the Jamaica team on social media. The team stated that she was eventually allowed entry.
Paris organizers explained that she had arrived at the wrong gate and needed to go to a different entrance to access the practice area.
Fraser-Pryce holds a total of eight Olympic medals, including gold in the 4×100 relay at the Tokyo Games in 2021. She also boasts 16 medals at the World Championships, with five titles in the 100 meters, the latest in 2022.
Her withdrawal left the 100-meter event without all three Jamaican athletes who swept the podium in Tokyo. Reigning champion Elaine Thompson-Herah had already ended her season earlier this year due to an Achilles tendon injury, and bronze medalist Shericka Jackson announced she was concentrating on the 200 meters.