Double Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Shericka Jackson showcased their dominance in the opening rounds of the Jamaican Olympic athletics trials on Thursday.
Fraser-Pryce, the reigning champion from Beijing 2008 and London 2012, clocked a winning time of 10.98 seconds in her heat in Kingston. The 37-year-old, an eight-time Olympic medalist, is seeking another gold medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics, which begins on July 26. She has only recently returned to competition after a break in mid-June.
Jackson, the 29-year-old double world runner-up in the 100m, also displayed her strength, winning her heat in a time of 10.99 seconds.
The two Jamaican stars were part of a triumphant trifecta in Tokyo 2021, finishing behind Elaine Thompson-Herah, who claimed the gold medal. Thompson-Herah, also the 2016 Rio champion, will miss the Paris Olympics after withdrawing from the trials due to injury on Wednesday.
Fraser-Pryce and Jackson will meet again on Friday for the semi-finals and the final, where they will compete for one of the top three spots to secure their places on the Jamaican Olympic team.
In the 400m race, a major upset occurred as surprise world champion Antonio Watson, just 22 years old, pulled up after approximately 120 meters, ending his Olympic aspirations. He will not be able to participate in the Games due to the injury.
