Three-time Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the women’s 100-meters semifinals minutes before settling in the the starting block because of an injury she sustained during warmups, according to Ian Kelly, the head of the Jamaican team.
Fraser-Pryce’s withdrawal from the semifinal came as a shock when she was listed as “Did Not Start” following the second heat of the event.
She was scheduled to run in lane 5, as Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred cruised to a win in the head in 10.84 seconds over American Sha’Carri Richardson (10.89).
The late scratch from Fraser-Pryce followed an early moment of drama when she posted on social media showing that she and Richardson had been denied access to the warm-up area.
“They’ve changed the rules,” she said “We came through this gate before but now they’re saying athletes who have left can’t use this gate.”
Fraser-Pryce added, “We came through this gate yesterday and went through security and it was OK. They want us to go all the way up to where everybody is exiting … that’s crazy!”
As one of the greatest female athletes on the track, Fraser-Pryce, 37, made her Olympics debut in 2008 in Beijing, grabbing the gold in the 100m in 10.78 seconds. She holds three Olympic gold medals, four silver and a bronze in competition in from appearances in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021.
She released a statement on social media later in the evening that seemed to allude to her impending retirement.
“It is difficult for me to find the words to describe the depth of my disappointment,” she said. “I know that my supporters share and shoulder this disappointment with me.
She added, “The support of my fans, my country, and the larger community has rooted me in immense gratitude that has sustained me throughout my career.”
Fraser-Pryce confirmed in an interview with Essence in February that she planned to retire after the Paris Olympics so she could spend more time with her family and pivot toward running her business.
The news of Fraser-Pryce pulling out of the 100m is another blemish for Jamaican sprinters on the road to Paris. On Wednesday, Shericka Jackson pulled out of the 100m and opted to only put her efforts into the 200m and relays. Jamaica is also without Elaine Thompson-Herah, who has been sidelined with an injury she suffered in June.
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