Lanae-Tava Thomas and Niesha Burgher both advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s 200-metre dash on Sunday (August 4) as Team Jamaica continues the medal chase at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

In another major shock to the national camp, Shericka Jackson withdrew from Heat 3 citing injury. It is the second withdrawal by the national champion since pulling out of the women’s 100m race last week to focus on her speciality 200m event. The double whammy for Jamaica now comes just hours after Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce had to bow out of yesterday’s semi-final on injury.

Newly crowned 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred remains in tip-top shape with a commanding 22.41-second split in Heat 1. Seeking double gold glory for St Lucia, Alfred finished ahead of the two other automatic qualifiers Gemima Joseph of France (22.72s) and Swede Julia Henriksson (22.79s). Ivorian star Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith did not start today’s rounds.

Burgher (22.54s) finished second behind Heat 2 winner and event favourite Gabrielle Thomas of the United States, who stopped the clock in 22.20s; Swiss athlete Mujinga Kambundji (22.75s) secured the third automatic spot.

Britain’s Daryll Neita won Heat 3 in a sporty 22.39s ahead of Dutchwoman Tasa Jiya (22.74s) and Helene Parisot of France (22.99s). Jackson, who was drawn in lane four, did not start.

American McKenzie Long claimed Heat 4 in 22.55s, finishing a sliver before Côte d’Ivoire’s Jessika Gbai (22.61s) and Canadian Audrey Leduc (22.88s).

Thomas (22.70s), Team Jamaica’s second automatic qualifier, finished behind Heat 5 winner Brittany Brown of the United States in 22.38s, while Britain’s Bianca Williams (22.77s) claimed third.

Nigerian Favour Ofili decisively won the final heat in 22.24s ahead of a fast-finishing Dina Asher-Smith (22.28s) and Gina Miriam Bass Bittaye (22.84s) of The Gambia.