World champion Shericka Jackson withdraws from women’s 200m at Olympics

On Sunday morning, reigning 200m world champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica pulled out of the women’s 200m heats at the Paris Olympic Games. The second-fastest woman of all time in the 200m will not race for an individual medal at these Games.

Jackson previously withdrew from the 100m as well, citing a leg injury she suffered in a tune-up race last month.

With her withdrawal, American Gabby Thomas will emerge as the favourite to win the 200m. Thomas cruised through her qualifying heat on Sunday, as did newly minted 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred, who returned to the track about 13 hours after beating Sha’Carri Richardson for gold.

It’s yet another blow for the Jamaican women’s sprint team, a perennial Olympic powerhouse that has captured 15 of the 24 Olympic medals in the 100m and 200m since 2008. Elaine Thompson-Herah, the defending Olympic 100m and 200m champion, shut down her season earlier this year with an Achilles injury. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce pulled out with an undisclosed injury in Saturday’s 100m semis, saying on social media, “It is difficult for me to find the words to express my disappointment.”

Leduc advances, personal best for Madogo

Canada’s Audrey Leduc was one of the 18 women to qualify for Monday’s 200m semi-final, placing third in her heat in 22.88 seconds to grab an automatic qualifying spot. Jacqueline Madogo of Ottawa set a huge personal best of 22.78 seconds in her 200m heat, finishing fourth, and will head to tomorrow’s repechage round.

Jacqueline Madogo 🇨🇦 on her new 22.78 personal best in the heats of the women’s 200m:

“This is a PB I’ve been chasing all season, and I’m glad it clicked. It just took the big stage to click—I’m really happy.”#teamcanada #Athletics pic.twitter.com/hd59syZ1z4

— Canadian Running (@CanadianRunning) August 4, 2024

“This is a PB I’ve been chasing all season, and I’m glad it clicked,” said Madogo. “It just took the big stage to click—I’m really happy.”

The women’s 200m repechage round will take place on Monday morning at 12:50 p.m. local time (6:50 a.m. ET), with the semifinals in the evening session.

Athletics events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are taking place from Aug. 1-11. Today’s coverage is brought to you by Canadian Running and PUMA Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.