The number of halts on the way to the Paris Olympics is dwindling every day. With eyes set on the big prize, the world’s top sprinters are looking to make every opportunity count. While the Oslo Bislett Games, the 6th chapter of the 2024 Diamond League, provided an excellent opportunity for the athletes, the reigning world champion in the women’s 200m, Shericka Jackson, couldn’t take advantage of the moment. However, she might have another chance to make up for the snag.

At the Bislett Stadium, the Jamaican icon suffered a major loss to the USA’s Brittany Brown as the former crossed the finishing line in fifth place on May 30. While her fans are understandably coming to terms with her fresh loss, optimism grows stronger on the horizon.

The upcoming Stockholm Diamond League on June 2 will once again see Jackson and Brown locking horns on the tracks in the women’s 200m event. The entry list for the upcoming event has been shared via a post on X by Track & Field Gazette with the caption “Women’s 200m startlist – Stockholm Diamond League“.

Recipient of the coveted RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation’s Sportswoman of the Year award in 2024, the Olympic gold medalist is among the strongest contenders for another glory moment at the French capital in August and is also one of the major threats to the USA women’s contingent at the 2024 Games.

With the big rumble not even two months away, every athlete is getting tense everywhere. Hoping to re-assert her dominance on the grand stage, Jackson will also be trying to use everything in her power and establish her status. However, that won’t be an easy feat for the 29-year-old. Along with Brown, Shericka will also be facing several sprinters who she competed against in Oslo.

Shericka Jackson gearing up to meet the hefty competition

Anavia Battle of the USA finished the women’s 200m race in Oslo in fourth place and is also one participant at the upcoming Diamond League on Sunday. If the latest opponents weren’t enough to make Shericka’s Olympic dreams a misery, she would have even more formidable foes waiting for her on the banks of the Seine.

Sha’Carri Richardson, the reigning 100m world champ is projected as Shericka’s biggest rival to the race for gold and their rivalry has been intense so far. In Budapest last year, Jackson managed to trounce Richardson in the 200m event, while accepting a defeat to the former in the 100m sprint. Along with Sha’Carri, Jackson will also have to fend off the likes of fellow Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and the USA’s Gabrielle Thomas in her quest for another top-of-the-podium finish in Paris. However, the four-time World Championships gold medalist won’t cede her ground so easily either.

In March this year, Jackson shared her big dreams and the ultimate figure who she aims to surpass. In a YouTube video, Shericka was heard revealing that breaking the iconic Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 200m record is her ultimate goal. “Faster than 21.4” has been a prominent thing on her to-do list, but she understands that it won’t be an easy feat. “(In case) I don’t achieve it, it’s not the end of the world“, Jackson didn’t hesitate to confess.

As the Jamaican star awaits another attempt at going beyond the world record this weekend, one step at a time might be the way to go to immortality for Jackson.