Fraser-Pryce Withdraws from 100m at Paris Olympics

In a surprising turn of events, Jamaican sprinting legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has withdrawn from the women’s 100-meter semi-final at the Paris Olympics. This shocking news came just as the race was about to start on August 3, 2024.

The 37-year-old athlete, who has made a name for herself as an Olympic champion in the 100m at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games, was hoping to add another medal to her impressive collection. She previously won bronze in 2016 and silver in 2021, and aimed for her fifth consecutive medal in this event.

Fraser-Pryce’s lane was unexpectedly left empty, leaving fans and competitors puzzled. An official reason for her dropout wasn’t provided, adding to the intrigue surrounding her decision. This withdrawal follows another shocking news from the Jamaican camp, as fellow sprinter Shericka Jackson also pulled out of the 100m earlier in the week, although she plans to compete in the 200 meters.

Despite this setback in the 100m, Fraser-Pryce still has the chance to compete in the 4×100-meter relay, so her Olympic journey isn’t entirely over yet. This latest news means that the race for the gold medal is wide open, especially with other stars like Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith failing to advance after the semifinals.

American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who is making her Olympic debut, has now taken the spotlight as she safely advanced to the finals. With the absence of established competitors like Fraser-Pryce and Jackson, she seems well-positioned to make a mark in this coveted event.