SHERICKA JACKSON, one of the favourites for the women's 200 metres, is OUT in the heats after embarrassingly slowing down and jogging over the line.
The 27-year-old Jamaican was looking to add to her bronze medal in the 100 metres at Tokyo 2020.
But she was shockingly eliminated in the heats, being made to pay for trying to conserve energy towards the end of the race.
Jackson looked set to comfortably make it through as one of the three automatic qualifiers as she turned into the home straight.
However, she decided to ease off inside the final 50 metres and was made to pay in the most dramatic fashion.
As Jackson was sauntering towards the line in lane two, Italy's Dalia Kaddari was busting a gut to clinch that third and final automatic spot.
And Kaddari was rewarded for her persistence as she edged out Jackson by four one-thousandths of a second.
A stunned Steve Cram, who was commentating on the event, said: "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's time of 23.26 was ultimately not enough to secure a semi-final spot as her hopes of an individual sprint gold were ended in the most remarkable fashion.
COMPETITION: SPOT THE BALL TO WIN A CAR AND CASH
DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £100,000
In the 100 metres, bronze medal winner Jackson was a part of a sensational Jamaican one-two-three.
Elaine Thompson-Herah retained her Olympic gold medal, with compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce taking the silver.
And Thompson-Herah is set to take on Fraser-Pryce once more in the 200m as the Jamaican duo are the favourites for the gold.
🥇 TOKYO OLYMPICS LIVE: All the latest from the Games with our live blog
🥇 WHAT'S ON TODAY? Best bits to watch at the Olympics and UK times for your favourite stars
Dream Team 2021/22
PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON!
- £100,000 in prize money up for grabs
- £50million budget to build your best XI
- Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
- Click here to play for FREE
- Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store
Source: Read Full Article