World champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica has kicked off her 2024 season in style by winning the 200m at a Diamond League meet in Marrakech, Morocco. With a time of 22.82 seconds and a one meter/second headwind, Jackson overcame a field that did not include her main rivals Gabby Thomas and Sha’Carri Richardson.
Meanwhile, Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has decided not to compete in the 200m at the upcoming Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. The trials for the Jamaican team are scheduled for June 27-30, where three women will be selected to represent the country in the event. Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are expected to be among the top athletes competing for selection. American Chase Jackson also had success at the meet, winning the shot put with a throw of 20.00 meters.
In other events, Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya claimed victory in the 800m with a time of 1:43.84, beating his compatriot Wyclife Kinyamal. Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania emerged victorious in the men’s discus competition with a throw of 70.70 meters, breaking his own world record of 69.15 meters set at last year’s Diamond League meet in Zurich. The Diamond League series will continue in Eugene for the Prefontaine Classic, featuring top athletes such as Sha’Carri Richardson, Grant Holloway, Athing Mu, Ryan Crouser, and Katie Moon.
Shericka Jackson is one of the top contenders in the event this year and has repeated as world champion with a time of 21.41 seconds last year.
The current fastest women this year are Americans McKenzie Long (22
