“Jamaica Is Finished”: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Last-Minute Withdrawal Calls for Suspicion Ahead of the Paris Olympics

Just 10 days before the Paris Olympics kick off, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the three-time Olympic champion, has track and field fans on the edge. Mommy Rocket has been a Jamaican powerhouse for over fifteen years, blazing through from the late 2000s to the 2020s. But the Stade de France at the 2024 Paris Olympics will mark the final track where her speed will be on display. Now, gearing up for her fifth and final Olympics, she shared earlier this year, “There’s not a day I’m getting up to go practice and I’m like, I’m over this.” Her path to Paris hasn’t been easy, though; injuries from the 2023 World Championships sidelined her for most of the year, delaying her 2024 season debut.

On that note, the scheduled Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern could have been one of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s final pre-Olympic appearances, as the Jamaican sprinter was set to compete in the 100-meter event. This would have been her fifth race of the season, including the crucial ones that secured her Olympic spot at the national championships last month.

However, fans were left disappointed as Fraser-Pryce opted out at the last minute, citing discomfort during warm-ups. Her absence has sparked concern among track and field enthusiasts, raising questions about her readiness and that of her Jamaican teammates against formidable international competitors lined up for Paris. Fans quickly took to X to express their doubts, fears, and perspectives regarding Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s 100-meter bid at the Paris Olympics.

One fan wrote, “I’d rather her be in the best shape for the Olympics. Take no chances.” This sentiment stems from Fraser-Pryce sustaining a hamstring injury during the 4x100m final at last year’s World Athletics Championships, despite winning a team silver. Her injuries forced her to end her season after Budapest and start her 2024 season just by June 15th. Despite racing sparingly in 2024, the Jamaican queen, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, managed to snag a spot on the roster for the Paris Olympics.

So another fan shared, “I have been saying that people are putting too many high expectations on her and it needs to stop, she has already done a lot for the sport and her country just give her a break now let her simmer.” One fan shared, “Oh jamaica is finished.” This fear arises as other members of the Jamaican trio have shown injury signs this season. Even her Jamaican teammate Shericka Jackson had to stop just inches away from the finishing line in the 100m event at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Hungary due to a hamstring pull.

Meanwhile, the reigning Olympic sprint double champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah, withdrew from the Jamaican trials due to an Achilles injury. However, one enthusiast saw this as a smart move, noting, “Smart. Not safe to risk injury at this stage of the issuation. Better safe than sorry.” Reflecting on these fan sentiments, let’s examine the top contenders lined up for the Jamaican women at the Paris Olympics and how they stack up.

How do the Jamaican track and field stars compare to their Paris Olympics contenders in the women’s 100 meters?

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Tia Clayton, and Shericka Jackson are set to bring the Jamaican heat to the 100m at the Paris Olympics. Fraser-Pryce, a four-time Olympic podium finisher in the 100m, boasts the most experience among her competitors in Paris. Three-time Olympian Shericka Jackson is equally formidable, with five Olympic medals, including bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics behind Elaine Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce. Joining these seasoned athletes is 19-year-old Tia Clayton, currently ranked sixth worldwide in 2024.

However, in the World Athletics standings, the Jamaicans face tough competition. USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson leads the pack with a blazing time of 10.71 seconds from the 2024 US Olympic trials, making her a strong favorite for gold in Paris. Following her is Saint Lucian Julien Alfred, running 10.78 seconds in Gainesville and winning the 60m gold at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships—another name to watch.

Melissa Jefferson, also of the USA, sits in fourth place with 10.80 seconds, while Shericka Jackson, with her 10.84 seconds at the Kingston trials, and Tia Clayton follow close behind. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce rounds out the top Jamaicans, clocking 10.91 seconds at the Jamaican Championships, placing her in the 11th spot worldwide this year.

Considering the intense competition ahead and the challenges faced by Jamaican women as they approach the Paris Olympics, what’s your take on fan reactions to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s decision to withdraw from the Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!