Heartbroken we are! Three-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who dazzled the world as the first sprinter to win individual medals in four consecutive Olympic Games, was a no-show in the Paris 2024 women’s 100m semifinal. Just minutes before the race on August 3rd she withdrew. Despite qualifying for the semifinal with the second-fastest time in the heats, Fraser-Pryce’s name was marked as “did not start” on the official lists. While various theories are floating around, it’s clear that her sudden withdrawal has left fans scratching their heads.

Fraser-Pryce reportedly faced a hurdle when officials denied her access to the warm-up area, insisting she could only enter if she arrived on the team bus. However, Jamaican award-winning sports journalist Trisha C. McGowan has unveiled a different story on X, “The Icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has withdrawn following a hamstring injury during warm-up. Still uncertain of the severity of the injury, but it’s something felt in the hamstring.” While the full extent of the injury remains unclear, it’s a troubling echo of the past – bringing to mind Usain Bolt’s similar misfortune. History, it seems, has a way of repeating itself.

Back in 2017, Usain Bolt’s career ended with a dramatic twist. During the 4×100-meter relay at the IAAF World Championships, Bolt tore his left hamstring in the anchor leg. Despite collapsing in the final stretch, he managed to rise and cross the finish line, clinching a bronze medal. His Jamaican teammates attributed the injury to cold weather and warm-up delays.

Then, Bolt later shared a photo on X, of the injury, revealing a tear at the proximal myotendinous junction of the biceps femoris in his left hamstring. This required him three months of rehab. He then, deleted the tweets shortly after, frustrated by skeptics and reaffirming his commitment to his fans. However, fast forward to today, does Fraser-Pryce have any chance of making a comeback? Well, seems so!

Can Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce defy the odds in Paris one more time?

Fraser-Pryce had confirmed earlier this year that the Paris Olympics would be her swan song. At 37, she was still running like the wind, having posted the second-fastest time in the heats with an impressive 10.92. This set her up for a nail-biting semifinal against Sha’Carri Richardson. All the while, Fraser-Pryce was gunning for a medal in the 100m for the fifth consecutive Games. She has previously claimed bronze in 2016 and silver in 2021.

Despite this setback, Fraser-Pryce remains scheduled to compete with Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team. However, her participation will depend on the severity of her injury. Throughout her career, she has racked up eight Olympic medals, including a third gold with the relay team at Tokyo 2020 and two individual 100m victories. With two-time and reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah also out of the running due to injury, the women’s 100m will see a new champion crowned for the first time since Athens 2004. Could it be Sha’Carri Richardson? Only time will tell.