Fraser-Pryce was aiming to medal in the 100m for a fifth successive Games. Photo: photosport
Jamaican double champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce missed her Olympic 100 metres semi-final after sustaining an injury in the warm-up after her preparation was unsettled by security officials delaying her entry to the Stade de France.
Fraser-Pryce, competing at her fifth Games at the age of 37 and the winner of two golds, a silver and a bronze over 100m, had been due to run in the second heat but appeared as a "did not start" in the official lists.
Social media footage later emerged of her - one of the most recognisable faces in the sport - and Jamaican team members arguing with officials who would not let their vehicle enter. American Sha'Carri Richardson also appeared in the video.
Fraser-Pryce was shown saying: "They've changed the rules. We came through this gate before but now they're saying athletes who have left can't use this gate."
Jamaican chef de mission Ian Kelly told Reuters later that there had been a delay but that Fraser-Pryce's absence was due to injury.
"Mrs Fraser-Pryce was allowed to enter the warm-up track but from another gate from which she was directed to enter from," he said.
"There is no truth that she was not allowed to enter the stadium. Unfortunately she was not able to compete due to an injury sustained during her final warm-up."
In Fraser-Pryce's absence, Julien Alfred of St Lucia won the semi-final and went on to claim victory in the final too, with Richardson taking silver.
Julien Alfred celebrates St Lucia's first-ever Olympic medal after winning the 100m final. Photo: photosport
Brilliant win
Alfred delivered a brilliant gun-to-tape performance to claim Saint Lucia's first-ever Olympic medal.
Alfred made her usual slick start and remained clear in heavy rain on a sodden track to come home in a national record 10.72 seconds.
World champion and race favourite Richardson took silver in 10.87sec but the American never really threatened and her compatriot Melissa Jefferson claimed bronze in 10.92.
Richardson was slow out of the blocks and could not overhaul Alfred.
It was almost a repeat of last year's world championships, when Richardson sneaked into the final as a fast loser and won the title from lane nine.
There was to be no repeat this time, however, as Alfred hit her stride brilliantly and splashed home for a glorious gold.
The United States' 28-year gold medal drought in the event goes on. Gail Devers was their last winner in 1996. Marion Jones was stripped of her 2000 Olympic gold for doping.
It also ended Jamaica's stranglehold on the event after they won the last four Olympic golds and 10 of the 12 available medals.
- Reuters
