KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Leading Jamaican sprinters Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce and Elaine Thompson were removed from the finals of the women’s 200 metres because of concerns for their health, a top track and field official has disclosed.
Bruce James, president of MVP track club which both athletes represent, has told a newspaper here that Fraser Pryce and Thompson were kept out of the final race out of concern for their health rather than as a result of injury.
The Observer has quoted James as saying Fraser-Pryce continues to be in pain as a result of her injured toe, and Thompson’s hamstring was hurting.
“In both cases the athletes’ health was the number one concern,” James told Observer.
“The doctor actually examined Elaine at the warm-up area by Stadium East on Sunday and instructed her and the coaching staff not to let her run based on the risk of further injury.”
James is seeking to address concerns raised after Fraser-Pryce, the World and Olympic gold medalist, and Thompson, the World Championships 200m silver medalist last year, failed to show up for the 200m final.
Meanwhile, the president has confirmed that the MVP track club had submitted a medical exemption for Thompson in the 200m, but had not submitted a medical exemption for Fraser-Pryce.
“A medical exemption was submitted for Elaine as she meets the requirements for a medical exemption in the 200m,” said James.
“No medical exemption was submitted for Shelly-Ann as she does not meet the JAAA stated criteria for a medical exemption in the 200m.”
