Jamaican Olympic Trials Update: Shericka Jackson and Kishane Thompson Shine in 100m

The Jamaican Track and Field Paris 2024 Olympic Trials are currently underway at the National Stadium in Kingston, and the excitement is palpable, as Jamaica’s track and field stars are proving once again why they are among the best in the world. On Friday night, Shericka Jackson successfully defended her 100m national title in a thrilling race.

Jackson, who won bronze in the 100m at Tokyo 2020, clocked an impressive 10.84 seconds, edging out her younger teammate Tia Clayton, who finished second with a time of 10.90 seconds. Veteran sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a three-time Olympic champion, secured third place with a time of 10.94 seconds. All three women are expected to be named to Jamaica’s formidable sprints team for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Jackson’s victory marks her third consecutive 100m national title. She is also the reigning world champion in the 200m, a title she hopes to defend as well. Fraser-Pryce, who has announced that Paris will be her final Olympics, continues to showcase her enduring talent, having made her debut at the Beijing 2008 Games.

In the men’s 100m event, Kishane Thompson delivered a standout performance, clocking an impressive 9.77 seconds, even easing up towards the finish line. Oblique Seville finished second with a time of 9.82 seconds, followed by Ackeem Blake, who rounded out the top three with a sub-10 second time of 9.92 seconds.

Notably, two-time reigning Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah announced her withdrawal from the trials and the Paris Olympics earlier this week due to an Achilles injury sustained at the NYC Grand Prix in early June. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt, but it also opens the door for emerging talent to step into the spotlight.

Stay tuned for more updates as the trials continue to unfold at the National Stadium in Kingston.