All eyes were on Team USA's Sha'Carri Richardson and Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred ahead of the women's 100m semifinals Saturday. But the 2024 Olympics were also supposed to be a last stand for a sprinter who was once at the pinnacle of the sport.
Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a two-time gold medalist in the 100m race, withdrew just before her heat in the semifinals, forgoing a chance to face Richardson and Alfred head-to-head.
Fraser-Pryce is 37 but continued to defy her age, winning silver in the 100m in Tokyo three years ago and posting the second-best time (10.92) of any sprinter in the first round in Paris.
A strong showing in the first round didn't guarantee Fraser-Pryce a spot in the final, and the opportunity to get to one last final was there until it suddenly wasn't.
Here's what you need to know about Fraser-Pryce's decision to withdraw from the 100m semifinals.
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What happened to Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce?
No reason for Fraser-Pryce's decision to withdraw has been revealed. It wasn't known that Fraser-Pryce was dropping out until her lane was left empty in what was supposed to be her semifinal heat.
Video appeared to show Fraser-Pryce and Richardson struggling to gain access to the venue when they first arrived, with the reason unconfirmed, but both made it into Stade de France for warmups. Richardson raced in the semifinals as scheduled.
The rookie and the vet. 🔥
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2024
Sha’Carri Richardson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce go head-to-head in the 100m semifinals. #ParisOlympics
📺: NBC, USA Network & Peacock pic.twitter.com/HeetO0hEz3
There is no indication that the delay in entering the venue factored into Fraser-Pryce's decision, leaving an injury a possible reason for her withdrawal.
Fraser-Pryce is the second Jamaican star to withdraw from the 100m, as Shericka Jackson withdrew days earlier. Meanwhile, Jamaica's five-time gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah is not participating in the 2024 Olympics due to an Achilles injury.
Jamaica could still find its way to the podium via 19-year-old Tia Clayton, who dominated her semifinal heat Saturday and matched Richardson's time of 10.89, behind only Alfred. Clayton could be the next star in a long line of outstanding Jamaican sprinters. and she will look to make Fraser-Pryce proud in the final against the favorites.
Fraser-Pryce's Olympic career might not be over, as she is eligible to participate in the 4x100m relay. Whether she will be able to compete remains to be seen.
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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Olympic medal history
Fraser-Pryce has eight career medals, four of which came in the 100m race. She won gold in the 100m in 2008 and 2012 before winning bronze in 2016 and silver in Tokyo.
| Year | Event | Medal |
| 2008 | 100m | Gold |
| 2012 | 100m | Gold |
| 2012 | 200m | Silver |
| 2012 | 4x100m relay | Silver |
| 2016 | 100m | Bronze |
| 2016 | 4x100m relay | Silver |
| 2020 | 100m | Silver |
| 2020 | 4x100m relay | Gold |
If she participates in the 4x100m relay, Fraser-Pryce will have an opportunity for a ninth; she has three career medals in the event.
