Sprint Icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Withdraws From Signature Olympic Event In Shock Twist

Jamaican track legend Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce did not show up to compete in the semifinals of the 100-meter sprint at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.

The 37-year-old, a two-time gold medalist in the event, didn’t immediately provide a reason for her withdrawal. She had qualified in her earlier heat but didn’t arrive at the starting line to compete in the semi, where she had been expected to go head to head with American star Sha’Carri Richardson.

A commentator on BBC announced moments before the race that Fraser-Pryce would not participate.

“The entire stadium was in shock that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce scratched from the 100 semis,” USA Today national track and field reporter Tyler Dragon tweeted of the development, adding that “the final isn’t going to be the same” without Fraser-Pryce.

A five-time world champion and eight-time Olympic medalist, Fraser-Pryce has said this will be her last Games.

The 100-meter was the only individual race she qualified for, but she’s also slated to compete in the 4x100-meter relay next week.