Jamaican Sprint Icon Withdraws From Olympic 100m, Citing Injury

Fraser-Pryce to Retire After Paris 2024

Two-Time Olympic Champion Misses Out on Running in Paris

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Two-time Olympic 100-meter champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has withdrawn from the Olympic competition due to an injury. The Jamaican sprint icon announced her decision on Monday, July 18, 2023, just hours before her scheduled heat.

Fraser-Pryce, who is also a three-time world champion in the 100m, has been struggling with a hamstring injury in recent weeks. She had been hopeful of competing in Paris, but ultimately decided that it was not in her best interests.

"I'm very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Olympic Games," Fraser-Pryce said in a statement. "I've been working so hard for this, and I was really looking forward to competing in Paris. But I've been struggling with a hamstring injury, and it's just not healed enough to compete at the level I need to."

Fraser-Pryce's withdrawal is a major blow to the Jamaican team, which has been dominant in the women's 100m for the past decade. Fraser-Pryce was the favorite to win the gold medal in Paris, and her absence will make the race much more open.

The 35-year-old Fraser-Pryce has already announced that she will retire after the Paris Games. She has won two Olympic gold medals in the 100m, in 2008 and 2012, and three world championships in the same event.