Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Shocks Fans by Withdrawing from Semifinal

It was a surprise withdrawal from the Jamaican sprinter.

WASHINGTON — Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce did not compete in Saturday’s 100-meter semifinal heat.

Fraser-Pryce, a top contender and two-time Olympic champion, was expected to dominate the dash. No reasons were provided for the 37-year-old’s late withdrawal. This event marks her fifth and final Olympic appearance.

Her withdrawal means the entire podium from the previous Olympic 100-meter race will not compete in the final. This includes Fraser-Pryce along with Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah.

Fraser-Pryce had previously won the 100 meters in 2008 and 2012. She’s now the second Jamaican sprinter to withdraw from the race.

Shericka Jackson had announced just days before the track and field events that she would not participate due to an injury sustained earlier this month.

“It was a combination of things,” Jackson said. “I got hurt, and me and my coach felt like it was a good decision to only run one event.”

Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson overcame a slow start to qualify for the Olympic 100-meter final by finishing second to Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia.

In a race featuring the two fastest Olympians this year, Alfred clocked in at 10.84 seconds, finishing a full body length and .05 seconds ahead of the reigning world champion.

During the final, Richardson aims to become the first U.S. woman to win Olympic gold in the 100 meters since Gail Devers in 1996. Marion Jones won the event in 2000 but was later stripped of her medal due to doping.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more updates.