Anything is possible, says Jackson

Jamaican sprint sensation Shericka Jackson has confirmed that she is still eyeing the women’s 200 metres world record.

However, the sprinter explained her immediate focus will be on staying healthy after an injury-riddled season last year.

Jackson was speaking yesterday at a press conference ahead of the Xiamen Diamond League set to begin today at the Xiamen Egret Stadium in China.

The sprinter said she believes Florence ‘Flo-Jo’ Griffith-Joyner’s 200m world record of 21.34 seconds is still within her grasp.

Jackson, the second-fastest woman of all time over the distance, holds a personal best of 21.41 which she set two years ago.

“For me, I think in 2023 I had a really good shot and I was brave enough to say it because one time I wasn’t brave enough to say ‘I wanted to break the world record’,” Jackson said.

“It is something that I still have in mind. Do I focus on it? No, but I just take it each step at a time and I think if it’s supposed to be then it will come.”

She added, “I just want to stay healthy and once I’m healthy and having some fun, then anything is possible.”

Jackson endured a difficult period on the track last year, which saw her performances hampered due to injuries.

Her season was eventually derailed as the sprinter made the difficult decision of withdrawing from her events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games due to health concerns.

“I needed to take a break and I think last year was really hurtful, mentally and physically. I had my coaches and my family and friends in my circle,” she explained.

“My coach and I sat down and we had a conversation during the Olympics. I think going home was the best thing at that moment.”

Coming into this season, Jackson said the main focus had been her recovery as she slowly eases her way back into the competitive scene.

She is scheduled to line up in the women’s 200m today at the Xiamen Diamond League with race time set for 6:50 a.m. Jamaica time.

It will be her first healthy competitive race since the National Championships in June last year.

Jackson will face off against the American trio of Jenna Prandini, Anavia Battle and Twanisha Terry with Swiss sprinter Mujinga Kambundji set to line up, as well.

“I just want to cross the line healthy. It has been June since I last raced competitively in the 200m so I want to just take my time and work my way back in slowly. I’m not rushing anything.”

Jackson is also eyeing a return to the World Athletics Championship set to be held in Tokyo in September.

She will be hoping to defend her 200m title and says she will be taking the time until the major championships to return to her very best.

“The World Championships is in September so I have a lot of time to fix the fine details,” she said.

“Things has been going really good. I’m healthy and I’m just excited to be here.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com