Usain Bolt posts cryptic message after compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's shock withdrawal from Paris Olympics 100m SF

By Shyam Kamal

Modified Aug 03, 2024 19:05 GMT

Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's withdrawal seconds before the women's 100m semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics left many speechless, including compatriot Usain Bolt. The reason for Fraser-Pryce's withdrawal is not yet made known, and Bolt's reaction did not make things any clearer either.

In Paris, Fraser-Pryce qualified for the semifinals with a time of 10.92s in the heats. She was set to start in the first semifinal alongside one of the big favorites for the gold in Paris, America's Sha'Carri Richardson. However, with just moments left for the start of the race, the Jamaican was declared DNS - 'Did Not Start.'

No reason was given by the officials for the 8-time Olympic medalist not opting to start the race, sending fans on social media into a frenzy.

Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, no stranger to racing at the 100m, joined the fans in reacting to the shocking development, tweeting:

"Jah jah."

'Jah jah' here could be a reference to God, with the phrase often used by practitioners of Rastafarianism in Jamaica to refer to a higher power in an endearing way.

In Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's absence, Sha'Carri Richardson qualified for the final (10.89s), where she will be joined by the likes of Julien Alfred (10.84s), Tia Clayton (10.89s) and Twanisha Terry (11.07s).

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was racing in her final Olympic Games at Paris 2024

Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 7 - Source: Getty

The 2024 Paris Olympics is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's last appearance at the Games, as confirmed by the Jamaican herself.

Speaking to press before the start of the event, Fraser-Pryce, who was running in her fifth straight Olympics, asserted that she was looking forward to her final hurrah and stepping on the track for one last time.

"It's the final Olympic Games; let me repeat that. It's crazy to even think about the fact that it has been five straight Olympic Games. But it's just the blessings, about how God has been good to me and how he has kept me so I'm really looking forward to the experience, stepping on the track and always, once I get on the line, I'm giving 100% at all times and that's what I'm looking forward to,” she said.

Fraser-Pryce is not in action in the 200m in Paris, as she did not qualify. However, she is set to take part in the 4x100m relay. Jamaica is the defending champion in the relay event, having won gold in Tokyo with a national record and the third fastest time in history.