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'Cannot do that': Sprint star savaged over 'unforgivable' act

Shericka Jackson, pictured here failing to qualify for the 200m semi-finals at the Olympics.
Shericka Jackson failed to qualify for the 200m semi-finals at the Olympics. Image: Channel 7/Getty

Tamsyn Manou and Bruce McAvaney have torn strips off Shericka Jackson after the Jamaican star eased up in the 200m heats at the Olympics and failed to make the semi-finals.

Jackson provided a major shock at the Tokyo Games on Monday when she failed to advance to the semi-finals in the 200m event.

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The bronze medallist in the 100m last week behind compatriots Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jackson was tipped to medal again in the 200m.

But the Jamaican produced an extraordinarily lazy effort in Monday's heats, lumbering down the straight and easing up well before the finish line.

Shericka Jackson, pictured here in action during the 200m heats at the Olympics.
Shericka Jackson (R) eased up and failed to make the 200m semi-finals. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The bizarre tactics backfired spectacularly when she failed to qualify for the semis.

"You cannot do that at the Olympic Games," Aussie Olympian Manou said in commentary for Channel 7, calling Jackson "too cocky".

"That is unforgivable. I mean, she's not even trying,

"Look at her at the back of the field. It's good to have confidence in sport but that's just being a little bit too cocky".

McAvaney added: "Four one thousandths of a second would have got her through. I can't believe the unprofessional way she went about that race."

Jackson was also savaged on social media.

Tension between Jamaican sprint queens at Olympics

Jackson had the third-fastest 200m time this year, but has ruined Jamaica's hopes of completing a clean-sweep of the medals in both the 100m and 200m.

McAvaney noted that Fraser-Pryce also appeared to be conserving energy in her heat, whereas Thompson-Herah gave her all.

"That's because they have different coaches," Manou added.

On Friday night, Manou pointed out the frosty atmosphere between Thompson-Herah and her compatriots after the 100m final.

Jackson and Fraser-Pryce stood away from Thompson-Harah as they awaited the final result to appear on the scoreboard, then offered a cold and quick pat on the back when it was confirmed.

"There wasn't a whole lot of love there was there?" Bruce McAvaney noted in commentary for Channel 7.

Manou revealed there is tension between the Jamaican teammates after Fraser-Pryce recently moved to a different coaching stable.

“I think it’s pretty obvious (there’s tension) when Shally-Ann Fraser-Pryce has left the coach after she’s won a gold medal at the world champs,” Manou explained.

“She wanted to be in a different training group for a reason.”

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