Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a Jamaican sprinter, faced a surprising rule change at the Paris Olympics, which denied her entry into the stadium just before her 100m semi-final. The 37-year-old, who has won three Olympic gold medals, was left outside the Stade de France due to new security protocols that she was unaware of. Despite eventually gaining access, she pulled out of the race due to a pre-existing knee injury. Fraser-Pryce expressed frustration over the rule change, emphasizing the lack of communication to athletes about the new entry procedures. Her withdrawal disappointed fans worldwide who were eager to see her compete.
The situation arose because athletes not staying at the Olympic Village, like Fraser-Pryce, had to use a different entrance, a change implemented without prior notice. The incident was captured in a viral video where Fraser-Pryce questioned the sudden rule change. Despite the setback, she maintained her professionalism and aimed to recover from her injury for future events. Her absence allowed Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred to win the semi-final and subsequently secure her country’s first Olympic medal, with Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson from the US taking silver and bronze, respectively.
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Fraser-Pryce’s manager, Ludlow Watts, expressed his surprise at the last-minute changes and confirmed her injury as the reason for her withdrawal. Retired athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill also commented on the situation, expressing sympathy for Fraser-Pryce’s disrupted plans. The Paris 2024 spokesperson clarified that athletes were redirected to the correct entrance after the mix-up. Despite the disappointment, Fraser-Pryce’s legacy as one of the greatest sprinters remains intact, and her focus is now on recovery and future competitions.
