It wasn’t just a defeat. It was disbelief. The powerhouse Jamaican sprint squad, loaded with legends and bursting with promise, stumbled when it mattered most at the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou. In a cruel twist of fate, Jamaica finished third in the women’s 4x100m relay, behind Great Britain and Spain. Clocking a season’s best 42.33s, the team’s efforts still fell short. When Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann run, expectations are sky-high! But amid all the disappointment, the loudest voices were defending.

A star-studded team, Natasha Morrison, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Tina Clayton, wasn’t enough. But when Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson came up short, not all the reactions were quick to dismiss their efforts and talents! The Jamaican icons and two of the most decorated sprinters in the world were under fire from critics, but not from their people. Instead, they were lifted. The message was clear. These queens don’t need to peak in May.

And there’s truth to that sentiment. Fraser-Pryce, with her dazzling career and clockwork consistency, thrives later in the season. Her 100m personal best of 10.60s, dates back to the Laussane Diamond League in August 2021. The same goes for Jackson who is known for building momentum as championships approach. So when Jamaica lined up for Heat 2 with Tina and Tia Clayton, alongside Shericka and Shelly-Ann, it looked like a dream team. But the chemistry wasn’t quite there. From the opening exchange to the final straight, the race felt unpolished. Jamaica clocked 42.51. Decent, even a season’s best, but nowhere near their ceiling. Spain shocked with a record-breaking 42.18, and suddenly, the questions came flooding in.

Then came the final. Jamaica looked stronger, clocking 42.33, but not strong enough to fend off Great Britain’s 42.21 masterclass. And when Success Eduan roared past Shericka in the last stretch, fans gasped. Not out of disappointment, but disbelief. But again, the response wasn’t scorn. It was a reason. The world may have doubted, but the Jamaican faithful stood firm. For all the shock and scrutiny, Shelly-Ann and Shericka remain royalty in the eyes of their supporters. Legends don’t crumble. They recalibrate. And if this was the beginning of their season? Well, just imagine how it ends. And with that hope in mind, fans soon took over social media.

Fans come in support of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson

As soon as the backlash began to grow on the internet, fans flocked to the comments section to express their support. Confidence in the two Jamaican stars hasn’t wavered, with fans calmly asserting, “Shericka Jackson will be ok. So will Shelly.” That reassurance stems from years of consistent brilliance. Supporters aren’t judging them by early-season form but by their proven ability to deliver when it truly matters—when medals are on the line.

There was a clear understanding of pacing and race strategy when one fan said, “It’s not over until it’s over. Shericka just needed to qualify us. Don’t need to overkill herself.” For a seasoned runner, the goal isn’t to peak in May. This reaction defends Shericka’s measured effort as smart, not sluggish, preserving her energy for later rounds and bigger stages.

A fan emphasized patience, noting, “People are overreacting about Shericka. It’s so early in the season, World Champs isn’t until September.” That response underlines the reality of elite athletics. Form is a journey, not a given. Shericka’s slow build is intentional, with June and July set aside for true ramp-up before the Nationals.

For those panicking, a quick correction came from a supporter who reminded everyone, “Shericka is not finished it’s early days for her.” This wasn’t denial—it was perspective. One shaky relay doesn’t define a season. The comment pushes back against short-term criticism with a long-term lens rooted in experience.

When a fan asked, “Where were the Americans, they also underperformed,” the point wasn’t deflection, it was perspective. By adding, “second place isn’t that bad,” the supporter called out selective outrage. If other giants stumbled too, then Jamaica’s result, while not golden, still holds ground—and certainly doesn’t merit panic.