Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson has opened up on mental health struggles that have brought her 2026 track athletics season to an early end.
The five-time Olympic medallist pulled up while competing in the women’s 200m at the Diamond League meet in Lausanne last month, prompting her to be helped off the track by medical staff.
Writing on Instagram, she confirmed the issue marks the end of her season: “Just when I’m finally finding my rhythm again, here comes mid-2026 season messing with my mental health. Not how I wanted to end my season, but this is my journey.”
Jackson stormed to victory in the opening two legs of the Diamond League, laying down the marker at the Shanghai/Keqiao and Xiamen meets. Despite the disruption to her form, the Saint Ann native is trying to remain positive.
“[I still have] a little faith and hope, so that’s a start. Until next season, I guess,” she added. “To my amazing family and friends, sponsors, and the ones who support me no matter what, I appreciate it.”
Those in the comments rallied around the 32-year-old, who had recorded season-best times of 10.81 seconds in the 100m and 21.87 seconds in the 200m.
The Jamaican star has been one of the defining sprinters of the past decade, winning global medals across both races. Jackson’s time of 21.41 from 2023 remains the second-quickest 200m on record, behind only Florence Griffith-Joyner.
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/shericka-jackson-mental-health-injuries-athletics-jamaica
