Shericka Jackson’s surprising decision to withdraw from the 100-meter sprint, in order to concentrate on the 200 meters in Paris has set off a heated debate within the sprinting community.
The Jamaican has not clarified the reason behind her decision to withdraw. On the Ready Set Go podcast, co-hosts Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green speculated on the outcome of the 200-meter sprint finals.
Gatlin broke his prediction into two scenarios, one with Shericka in peak fitness, and one without:
“Healthy Shericka: Shericka, Gabby, Julien Alfred.
Not healthy Shericka: I’m gonna go with Gabby to win, Julian Alfred for second, and then Dina Asher-Smith.”
The Bahamian sprinter reviewed the prediction and offered a slightly different viewpoint, stating that even if the Jamaican sprinter is fit to run in the 200 meters, he still saw Gabby Thomas as the likely gold medal winner in Paris. He said he had been following the American athlete for a long time, and her timings leading up to the Olympic Games were impressive.
Green went on to say that Shericka was certainly in form for the 200 meters, but not as much as Thomas, which significantly reduced the Jamaican’s chances of winning the gold medal.
Gatlin agreed with his podcast partner, as Thomas’s success in the London Diamond League was a clear statement that she will not hold back at the Paris Olympics. Shericka’s decision to give up on the 100 meters, has reshaped the competitive landscape in the 100 meters and shifted attention to her American rival.
Sha’Carri Richardson for the win in 100 meters?
Shericka’s withdrawal from the 100 meters has paved the way for Sha’Carri to potentially win the gold medal. The American had long sought the honor, but her participation in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics was canceled due to a one-month suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Went on @CNN to discuss the Sha’Carri Richardson positive test for marijuana and her one-month suspension. Here’s a short clip from the interview.
Wrote about it this morning for @SInow: https://t.co/W62JhzQ99n pic.twitter.com/nybQb5rEpT
— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) July 2, 2021
Since then, she has won World Championship titles in the 100, 200, and 4×100 (relay) meters in Budapest last year. Her major competitor heading into 2024 was Shericka, but with her withdrawal from the event, Richardson has an opportunity to shine.
