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Olympic 100m Bronze Medalists Misses Out On 200m Semi-Final After Slowing Down

Olympic 100m Bronze Medalists Misses Out On 200m Semi-Final After Slowing Down

Jackson looked to be heading into the 200m semi-final but she slowed down to reserve energy far too early and missed out.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Shericka Jackson messed up her chance of double Olympic sprint medals on Monday morning, when she slowed down to jog in her 200m heat too early.

Jackson was part of the historic 1-2-3 that the Jamaican team secured in the 100m women's final on Saturday, finishing behind Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to take the bronze medal.

The trio were all in action just two days later on Monday, as they attempted to double up on the 200m competition in Tokyo.

Jackson was running in the fifth heat and was in second place, with only the top two qualifying automatically, when she seemed to completely mis-time her run.

She slowed down to a jog, seemingly to save energy for the semi final later that day, but slowed too much and ended up finishing fourth, with her time not quick enough to get one of the 10 fastest losers berths.

In commentary, 1984 1500m Olympic silver medalist Steve Cram couldn't believe what he was watching, "Shericka Jackson was almost just jogging round.

"What on Earth? Why take such risks?

"I'm sorry to sound exasperated but I am, on her behalf, on her coach's behalf and her team-mates. It's just not necessary."

Jackson crossed the line with her fellow countrywomen to take bronze in the 100m race. Image: PA Images
Jackson crossed the line with her fellow countrywomen to take bronze in the 100m race. Image: PA Images

Jamaican sprint coach Stephen Francis wasn't quite as annoyed as Cram, although he still clearly wasn't too happy with the runner.

"She obviously misread, she paid the price," Francis said.

"She is not a senior athlete, she is a senior athlete in the 400m and a rookie at the 200m. I expected her to do better. She will learn."

Thompson-Herah and Fraser-Pryce, who beat Jackson in the 100m, both made it through to the semi finals and later made it through to Tuesday's final by winning their races.

Featured Image Credit: BBC Sport

Topics: olympics, Jamaica