Does Jamaica's recent injury scares threaten their women's 100m dominance at Paris Olympics?

Does Jamaica's recent injury scares threaten their women's 100m dominance at Paris Olympics?

Abigael Wafula 19:53 - 19.07.2024

All hopes rest on Shericka Jackson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Tia Clayton to deliver the fifth-straight Olympic 100m title but with the injury scares, can the trio still deliver against a formidable American cast?

The Jamaican trio of Shericka Jackson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Tia Clayton will head to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a lot of pressure to deliver the women’s Olympic gold medal in the 100m.

Jamaica has dominated the event, winning the previous four editions but defending the title this season will prove to be a hard nut to crack, with the fast-rising opposition from Americans.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce started the winning streak when she won the title at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games before defending her title at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Elaine Thompson-Herah then claimed the title at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, with Fraser-Pryce being forced to finish third behind late Torrie Bowie. Thompson-Herah then successfully defended the title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

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Thompson-Herah will miss the 2024 Paris Olympic Games due to a nagging Achilles injury, with the mantle now being left to Jackson, Fraser-Pryce, and youngster Clayton.

However, injury scares have been the order of the day for the duo of Fraser-Pryce and Jackson. Jackson competed at the Gyulai István Memorial, running the 200m but failed to finish the race after she pulled an injury during the race.

Her physiotherapist, however, clarified that the injury was not that severe and she would be back to competing soon.

Fraser-Pryce intended to compete in ther first race in Europe since the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary but did not start due to a slight upset she felt. She was to compete at the Luzern Athletics Meet in Switzerland. Clayton is only 19 and much is not expected from the youngster who will most likely be out to gain experience.

On their part, the American women have proven to be in great shape, with Sha’Carri Richardson having run the fastest time in the world this year. Richardson has been unbeaten in the 100m and she looks to continue her winning streak to the Olympics. After winning the U.S. Olympic trials, the 24-year-old is yet to compete in another race.

Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry will also be out to prove a point at the Olympics and they are in great form to execute great races at the Olympics. With such a formidable American cast heading to the Olympics, will the women’s 100m title remain in Jamaica?