Shericka Jackson's biggest concern after injury-hampered season: 'What if I never get an Olympic Gold?'

Shericka Jackson's biggest concern after injury-hampered season: 'What if I never get an Olympic Gold?'

Mark Kinyanjui 17:43 - 03.11.2024

Jackson has revealed her biggest worry after being forced to miss the Paris 2024 Olympics at the age of 29 due to injuries.

Jamaican sprint sensation Shericka Jackson has revealed her biggest worry after an injury-ravaged season that forced her to miss the Olympic games that took place in Paris, France in August last year.

Despite being set to compete in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay, Jackson had to withdraw to safeguard her health, a decision that highlighted the uncertainty and challenges faced by elite athletes.

Jackson, who holds the title of the second-fastest woman in history in the 200 meters—trailing only Florence Griffith Joyner—revealed in interviews earlier in August that she did not sustain major injuries. However, she opted for caution, prioritizing her long-term well-being. 

“I had no major injuries but withdrew to protect my body,” she explained. In a July meet in Hungary, she pulled up before reaching the finish line, sparking concerns. Later, Jackson clarified the situation, saying, “It was just a cramp, not a major injury.”

Now, as part of the upcoming season two of Netflix’s SPRINT, which follows sprinters who competed in the Paris Olympics, Jackson’s worries about her Olympic aspirations take center stage.

 In a teaser for the show, Jackson expresses doubts about achieving her long-held dream of individual Olympic gold, a goal that has eluded her throughout her illustrious career.

“I am the second fastest woman over 200. What if I never get an Olympic gold medal?” Jackson mused in a candid moment shown in the trailer.

Jackson’s track record includes a bronze medal in the 400 meters from the Rio Olympics and another bronze in the 100 meters at the Tokyo Olympics. 

She also claimed bronze in the 4x400m relay and a silver in the same event in Rio. Her sole Olympic gold came in the 4x100m relay at the Tokyo Games. At 29 years old, she recognizes that time may not be on her side, particularly when it comes to clinching gold in her favored 200 meters.

The sprinter’s apprehensions come in the wake of a season where her form fell short of her record-setting performances.

 At last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Jackson captured her second consecutive world title in the 200 meters, clocking an astounding 21.41 seconds, just 0.07 seconds shy of Griffith Joyner’s 1988 world record of 21.34. It was a performance that reaffirmed her potential and left fans speculating about a new world record.

“In the 200, I am the second fastest of all time behind the world record holder Flo Jo,” Jackson said on season one of SPRINT, reflecting on her Budapest triumph.

“Probably checking the world record this year, it is a good feeling you know? That means I am capable of doing it. I just need to fix what needs to be fixed. Go back to the drawing board. What needs to be worked on we will work on.”

Despite these moments of doubt, Jackson’s resolve remains evident. The path forward involves recalibrating her training and staying focused on the pursuit of individual Olympics glory.

 As the SPRINT series prepares to air, viewers will gain an intimate look into the mental and physical battles that come with competing at the highest levels of track and field. 

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