Tokyo Olympics: Shericka Jackson is OUT of the 200m after easing up far too early

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That backfired! Shericka Jackson is OUT of the 200m sprint after JOGGING over the finish line… with careless Olympic 100m bronze medallist missing out on the semi-finals by four thousands of a second

By Max Mathews For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Shericka Jackson has dramatically been knocked out of the women’s 200 metres after easing up way too early in her heat.

The sprinter won a bronze medal in the 100m as part of a Jamaican one-two-three alongside compatriots Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

She was also hotly tipped to challenge for the slightly longer format, but slowed down far too much and was then dumped out of the competition. 

Shericka Jackson (pictured) was dramatically knocked out of the 200 metres in the heats

100m bronze medallist Jackson (right) was in a good position but started jogging near the end

100m bronze medallist Jackson (right) was in a good position but started jogging near the end

Former runner Steve Cram told the BBC: ‘Shericka Jackson was almost just jogging round – what on earth? Why take such risks? 

‘I’m sorry to sound exasperated but I am, on her behalf, on her coach’s behalf and her team-mates. It’s just not necessary.’ 

Jackson, running in lane two, looked to be comfortably in the top three automatic qualifying slots in the fifth heat after coming into the straight.

Running in lane two in the fifth heat, she was comfortably in the qualification slots at first

Running in lane two in the fifth heat, she was comfortably in the qualification slots at first

The 27-year-old seemed to be unaware of her onrushing opponents to her right hand side

The 27-year-old seemed to be unaware of her onrushing opponents to her right hand side

She was pipped on the line by Italy's Dalia Kaddari (in blue), who finished third and qualified

She was pipped on the line by Italy’s Dalia Kaddari (in blue), who finished third and qualified

However, potentially to try to conserve energy, the sprinter started jogging with plenty of track still yet to cover.

Rather than look to her right to check on the positions of her competitors, Jackson carelessly seemed to be unaware of their presence and even seemed to lean back as she approached the line. 

She was then pipped to the line by Italy’s Dalia Kaddari and did not make it through as a fastest loser. 

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