The athletic world faced a stumble today when Jamaican outlets broke the news. A few more hours were all it took to wear down the final layer. But in Puma’s Paris House, Shericka Jackson finally agreed that she would not run in the women’s 100m event in Stade de France at the Paris Olympics. “The decision is just to protect my body. As I’ve said for the last three years, I’ve been competing in both events. It’s a combination of both just focusing on one event,” the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist pointed out to back her decision. But what would be your reaction if we say that her decision came after facing a prolonged issue? Just a few hours ago, a track sports raconteur shared something similar to that. 

On Thursday, in his tweet on Shericka’s injury, Raes Take TV claimed that he had the news beforehand. “We already knew she wasn’t running. . We just wasn’t going to be the people to release that information,” he shared in his tweet. Then why didn’t Raes Take pull off the strings before? Well, that answer has not come yet. But as he mentioned, “G-Lo almost slipped up and told it on our show two weeks ago.” He mentioned a few more things, like Shericka Jackson’s protracted knee injury and how it led her to make this choice. The Jamaican sprinter hasn’t, however, yet addressed Raes Take’s claims. But a few similarities still exist in both of their words. 

In her conversation with Citius Mag today, the four-time Olympic medalist admitted that her hamstring cramp in the Hungary Athletics Grand Prix on July 9 had made her think about her schedule again. She was there to compete in the 200m event, whereas the list of opponents was no less than a heavyweight bunch. However, Shericka had been in no mood to think about that. 

She continued her overwhelming pace, almost to the very end. Her closest chaser, Julien Alfred, had yet to touch the air she was leaving behind. But her hamstring cramp put a limit on her speed and allowed Shericka to stop just meters before the finishing line. It was a heartbreak for the fans. But more than that, it was a red signal for the 30-year-old regarding her fitness. This experience ultimately led her today to add, “It’s a combination of both just focusing on one event and what happened in Hungary.” So from that perspective, Raes Take TV’s statement has facts in it. And as every big announcement has certain following statements, Shericka Jackson’s bowing out of the Olympic event has a few more clarifications.

Shericka Jackson confirms her decision, supported by all stakeholders

Currently, at the Paris Olympics, Shericka Jackson is stationed with her support staff, including MVP coach Stephen Francis. However, before today, no one had hinted anything about Shericka’s injury status or the decision to back out from an event that gave me an Olympic medal three years ago. So when the athlete was asked today about the carefully maintained silence on the issue beforehand, Shericka argued, “it’s a combination of a lot of stuff and as I said, coach and I made that decision not to contest the 100m and I think we’re pretty happy with that.”  She also assured that at present, she is not feeling any kind of health issues. 

“I think I’m pretty good, I’m in pretty good shape and I’m okay,” she tried to douse the brewing situation. In the meantime, coach Stephen Jackson looked to be far away from worrying about anything in the panned-out state. Rather, with a cheeky smile on his face, the veteran coach added, “I think that’s [Shericka’s injury] something you’re going to have to adjust to her medical personnel. But as far as I know, she appears to be okay to me”. So till now, there’s not been a single statement on Shericka Jackson’s knee injury. Instead, the camp has displayed a less caring attitude when it comes to taking any pressure from the situation. So, let’s wait for a few more days, as the athletic episodes are coming in the Paris Olympics.