July 9, 2024. Shericka Jackson was running at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial when she pulled up due to an injury. What next? She had to rule out Paris, Diamond Leagues, basically every competitive hope for the rest of the season. But what pricked her the most was the Olympic loss. Double medals in Rio, triple in Tokyo, the thought of having none in Paris troubled her. No wonder, even 8 months after, she is still addressing the ‘Paris question’ with remorse.  Let bygones be bygones, they say. Clearly, not for Jackson.

The worst part is, Shericka Jackson’s Paris miss was like slow poison. She initially planned to compete in both the 100m and 200m events in the French capital, but ended up withdrawing from the 100m abruptly, citing a desire to protect her body and focus on the 200m, her strongest event. After keeping the fans on tenterhooks, Jackson then pulled out of the 200m race on the day of the heats, citing the same reason: the injury. And just like that, years of training and a once-in-four-year chance, gone down the drain. No wonder, it’s 2025, but it’s still pricking her.

Appearing at the Xiamen Diamond League press conference held on April 24, Shericka Jackson confessed about her Paris miss. She said, “I needed to take a break, and I think last year was really very hurtful.” Well, why wouldn’t it be? The two-time reigning 200m world champ was one of the favorites to win in Paris. Also, she’s the fastest woman alive in the 200m, and she has three of the four fastest 200m times ever run. So you bet the Olympic miss took a toll on her. However, she did overcome that Paris meltdown gradually.

Shericka Jackson regrouped, restrategized, and turned to her family, “But mentally and physically I had coaches, my family and friends in my circle, so,” she said. She later even realized that dropping out was the need of the hour then, “Coach and I sat down and we had a conversation during the Olympics and I think going home was the best thing at that moment but we work on the fine details of getting healthy and I took some time to get healthy and I am excited.” 

Wondering what she is excited about now? Well, Shericka Jackon’s run 3 races in 2025 so far, and now, she is gearing up for her Diamond League debut. Yes, the Jamaican will show up in the Xiamen Diamond League, People’s Republic of China, on Saturday, 26 April, where she will compete in the 200m dash. It will mark her first 200m race in 9 months, as well as her return to the Diamond League circuit after 10 months. But this time, as she comes out to Xiamen, a different goal is on her mind. Here’s what it is.

Shericka Jackson wants to take things slow and steady

At the Xiamen Diamond League Press conference, Shericka Jackson detailed her mindset as she gears to run the 200m in Xiamen tomorrow. She said, “I just want to cross the line healthy. Its been June since I competed competitively in the 200, so I just want to take my time and work my way back in slowly, I am not rushing anything.” Well, indeed, the last time we saw her was at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2024, where she won the 200m in 22.69 seconds. So the only motto that she has on her line is safe running.

And how does this Dianond League chapter fit into her larger plan for 2025? Well, Jackson even said that, “The World Championship is in September, so I have a lot of time to fix the fine details. It’s my first race since June so I am just excited to be here.” Looks like she is not really here to show her domination or prove a point. Just for a casual warm up and a good 200m homecoming after 9 months. What do you think of it? Let us know below!