After an unusually long wait, eight-time Olympic Games medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce finally began her 2024 season on Saturday night at the National Stadium, competing in the French Foray meet.
Fraser-Pryce finished ahead of the pack in a moderate 11.15 seconds in the women’s 100 meters.
With high expectations from the crowd inside the National Stadium, many fans left with mixed feelings. The typically silky, smooth Fraser-Pryce performance was noticeably absent. Uncharacteristically, Fraser-Pryce’s signature bullet start abandoned her, forcing the seasoned Olympian to come from behind to overtake SprinTec’s Jodean Williams 10 meters from the finish line. Williams secured second place with a time of 11.20 seconds, while Sabrina Dockery of Lacovia High finished third in 11.46 seconds.
Fraser-Pryce, who refused interviews after her run, adds to the growing questions about how well Jamaicans will perform at the upcoming Olympics. With just over 10 days remaining before the National Senior Championships, Fraser-Pryce, along with Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson Herah—who swept the podium at the last Olympic Games in the 100 meters—do not seem to be at their best.
In other events
In other events, Williams also secured second place in the women’s 200 meters, clocking 23.53 seconds to finish just behind Kemba Nelson of Elite Performance Track Club, who won in 23.51 seconds. Jura Levy of Legacy Track Club came in third with a time of 24.29 seconds.
Ronda Whyte, representing Swept Track Club, captured the women’s 400 meters title with a time of 53.59 seconds, followed by Roneisha McGregor of UWI, Mona, in 54.71 seconds. Abrina Wright of Holmwood Technical secured third place with a time of 55.66 seconds.
National 100-meter junior record holder Bouwahjgie Nkrumie of Racers Track Club made a rare appearance this season, winning his heat in 10.21 seconds, the fastest overall time. Sandrey Davison of Dynamic Speed Track Club won his heat in 10.25 seconds, placing second overall, narrowly edging out schoolboy Deandre Daley of Herbert Morrison, who finished third in 10.26 seconds. Ackeem Blake, after his second-place finish behind Nkrumie in 10.30 seconds, was fourth overall.
Former national 400 meters champion Javon Francis claimed victory in the men’s 200 meters with a time of 21.00 seconds. Jehlani Gordon secured second place in 21.02 seconds, and Davison was third in 21.24 seconds.
Assinia Williams of Titans Track Club won the men’s 400-meter hurdles in 49.08 seconds, followed by Demar Murray in 50.39 seconds. Antonio Forbes of Dynamic Speed Track Club finished third with a time of 51.04 seconds.
As the athletes continue to prepare for the National Senior Championships and the Paris Olympics, all eyes will be on their performances in the coming weeks.
