Two Jamaican sprinters are no-shows and won’t race for individual medals at Olympics

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Two Jamaican sprinters pulled out of their women’s races this weekend and will not compete for individual medals at the Paris Games.

Shericka Jackson, the defending world champion who is the second-fastest woman of all time in the 200, had previously withdrawn from the 100 meters, saying it was partly because of a leg injury she suffered in a tuneup race last month. It is unclear why she pulled out of Sunday’s race.

It turns American Gabby Thomas into the clear favorite to win the 200. Thomas cruised through her qualifying heat in 22.20 seconds, as did Julien Alfred, who returned to the track and ran 22.41 about 13 hours after beating Sha’Carri Richardson in the 100 meters.

Jackson’s exit deals yet another blow to the Jamaican women, a perennial Olympic powerhouse that had captured 15 of the 24 Olympic medals in the 100 and 200 between 2008 and 2021.