4-time Olympics medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdraws from Paris 2024 seconds before 100m SF for unspecified reason

In what has come as a huge shock, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the women's 100-meter semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was listed as a non-starter, and was not seen in action in the French capital.

On Friday (August 2), Fraser-Pryce, an eight-time Olympic medalist (4 in 100m, 4 in 200 m), finished second in the heats with a time of 10.92 seconds. World champion Sha’Carri Richardson had finished on top, clocking 10.94 seconds.

This comes as a huge blow to the 16-time world champion, who is competing in her fifth and final Summer Games. Her Olympic medal tally currently includes three golds, four silvers, and a bronze.

Fraser-Pryce had earlier stated that she was hoping to win another Olympic medal in her fifth appearance at the quadrennial event.

"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 before the Olympics got underway.

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Dina Asher-Smith joins Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on the sidelines after failing to qualify for 100m final

The Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - Source: Getty

While Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce pulled out of the women's 100-meter semifinals, Dina Asher-Smith took part in it and performed well below expectations. In Semifinal 1, Asher-Smith finished fifth with an 11.10-second effort and a reaction time of 0.156.

With only the top two from each semifinal along with the two fastest losers across all three races progressing to the final, the Brit has been eliminated from the event. Speaking after the semifinals, the 28-year-old expressed disappointment with her performance and hoped to do better in the 200m.

“I’m disappointed I’m in great shape I’ve been running great all season I fully expected to make that final the race wasn’t even fast so I’m very disappointed i just felt great so...” she said.

“There’s no thoughts you just run I was very disappointed with the race itself I know I’m in a lot better shape than that. Onto the 200 I know I’m in great shape so I’m excited to attack that,” she added.

Julien Alfred (10.84 seconds) clocked the fastest time in the semifinals, with Sha'carri Richardson and Tia Clayton (both 10.89 seconds) rounding up the top three.