Athletes hoping for a showdown at the Olympics in 2020 had to settle for disappointment after the tournament was delayed by a year. However, for Jamaican sprinting star Shericka Jackson, it was an opportunity to recover, restart and strike harder in 2021.
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The 27-year-old sprinting star first competed in the mega-quadrennial games in 2016 at the Rio Olympics. Notably, she clinched two medals in her maiden appearance. However, the 400m specialist switched to 100m and 200m events for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, and it was indeed a success, as she marked her place on the Olympic podium.
Olympics delay turned positive for Jamaican star
27-year-old Shericka Jackson hails from the land of the legendary sprinters, Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce. Jackson herself has been shining in the sprinting world with her stellar runs.
However, she fell victim to injury, just a year before the mega games. Shericka faced two stress fractures during the 2019 season. Hence, had it not been for the delay due to the pandemic, fans would’ve missed her heroics in Tokyo.
Reuters
Athletics – JAAA National Senior Championships – National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica – June 27, 2021 Jamaica’s Sherika Jackson, Elaine Thompson-Hera and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in action during the women’s 200 m REUTERS/Gilbert Bellamy
In an interview, she revealed how things worked out for her, despite the postponement. Jackson said, ?After the 2019 season, in the November, I did an X-ray and found I was running on two stress fractures. For me to be here in 2021 is such a good feeling. I was really worried, I wanted to get back. But when I found out they had postponed the Olympics, it was a really, really good thing for me.”
She added, “I just continued to work on where I was, working with the physio. We did a lot of pool stuff and she helped me so much with the healing. I?ve been to so many physios where it wasn?t working, so for her to work with me it was such a good feeling. I am so grateful.?
Shericka Jackson’s 2021 performance
Shericka Jackson, alongside her fellow Jamaican women’s sprinters, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, and Elaine Thompson-Herah, were the show stoppers in Tokyo this year. In the 100m race, the Jamaican women clean swept the Olympic podium. Elaine clinched the gold, while Shelly-Ann bagged the silver, and Shericka secured the bronze medal.
Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 100m – Medal Ceremony – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan ? August 1, 2021. Gold medallist, Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica wearing a protective face mask on the podium poses with silver medallist, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica wearing a protective face mask and bronze medallist Shericka Jackson of Jamaica wearing a protective face mask REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
The Jamaican trio also clinched the gold medal in the 4*100m relay race and the bronze medal in the 4*400m relay race. Jackson’s performance graph has been steadily improving. With the athletics season over for the year, it would be interesting to watch what wonders she will achieve in 2022.
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