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Jamaican runner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has shared her disappointment at missing out on her chance to run for gold in the 100m race in Paris after injuring herself during her warm-up.
The silver medallist from Tokyo’s scratching came shortly after videos on social media emerged appearing to show her being denied entry to the warm-up track.
Fraser-Pryce took to social media early on Sunday to say she struggled “to find the words” to describe “the depth of (her) disappointment”.
She wrote on Instagram: “I know that my supporters share and shoulder this disappointment with me. … The support of my fans, my country and the larger community has rooted me in immense gratitude that has sustained me throughout my career,” she said.
“With every step and win, you all have been there for me.”
She added: “My faith has always affirmed my trust in the journey.”
The International Olympic Committee said in a statement that Jamaica’s chef de mission Ian Kelly confirmed Fraser-Pryce’s withdrawal was due to an injury sustained during her warm-up after reports surfaced that it had been because she was denied entry to the venue.
About two hours before she was set to hit the track, footage surfaced on X that showed Fraser-Pryce and US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson being denied entry to the warm-up area in Paris via the normal route.
She withdrew from the race shortly after.
Richardson, the American runner, went on to claim silver.
The Jamaican sprinter is still scheduled to run with the Jamaicans’ 4x100m relay team.
Fraser-Pryce has won eight Olympic medals in total, including a third gold with the relay team at Tokyo in 2021.
