World 200-meter champion Shericka Jackson suffers apparent injury in race with Olympics on horizon

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Lanea-Tava Thomas, left, of Jamaica, Julien Alfred, center, of Saint Lucia, and Shericka Jackson, right, of Jamaica, compete in the 200 meter event at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial Track and Field Hungarian Grand Prix in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Julien Alfred, center, of Saint Lucia, won the race. (Tamas Vasvari/MTI via AP)

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Shericka Jackson, of Jamaica, reacts to an injury during the women’s 200 meter event at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial Track and Field Hungarian Grand Prix in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. (Tamas Vasvari/MTI via AP)

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SZEKESFEHERVAR, Hungary (AP) — World 200-meter champion and Olympic favorite Shericka Jackson pulled up with an apparent injury late in a race Tuesday as part of the Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix.

The Jamaican standout was in front and nearing the finish line when she suddenly shut it down. Jackson appeared to be in discomfort as she walked off the track in a race won by Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia. The Paris Games start later this month.

Jackson has the second-fastest time ever in the event. A message was left by The Associated Press with her agent.

The Jamaicans are already missing Elaine Thompson-Herah for the Paris Games. The two-time reigning Olympic champion at 100 and 200 meters recently said she has a small tear in her Achilles tendon.

Jackson is responsible for three of the four fastest times ever run in the women’s 200. Her top time of 21.41 seconds was set on her way to winning gold at worlds last summer in Budapest, Hungary. She’s edging closer and closer to breaking the record held by Florence Griffith Joyner, who went 21.34 at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

Jackson, who turns 30 next week, also is expected to give American rival Sha’Carri Richardson a challenge in the 100.

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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