Do not rule out Shericka, says MVP boss

President and co-founder of MVP Track Club, Bruce James, says Shericka Jackson, based on her outstanding performances during the 2023 season has a strong chance of being named the World Athlete of the Year.

“The only item missing from Shericka’s exceedingly great resume of 2023 is world records and she has gotten closer than anyone else in history to the 200 metres world record. So, I believe that in terms of her chances, if she had a world record, she would be named female Athlete of the Year, but it is still up to the selection committee to make the final determination, but comparing her with the other athletes selected, the only item missing from her brilliant 2023 resumé is a world record,” James said.

The sprinter who was in the best form of her life this past season, went unbeaten in the half-lap event. She captured the gold medal at the Budapest World Athletics Championships in the 200m, clocking the second fastest time in history over the event with 21.41 seconds.

In addition the Paul Francis-coached MVP athlete finished second in the 100m final in Budapest and closed out her season with the Diamond League sprint double.

“Shericka’s nomination and top-five selection confirms that the MVP Track and Field Club continues to develop the very best athletes in the world, right here in Jamaica, using Jamaican facilities, with Jamaican coaches and Jamaican management. It’s a testament to our ability as Jamaicans to be the very best in the numerous facets in athletics,” said James.

He added that t is MVP’s focus to continue to help develop some of the world’s best athletes.

“Our focus is on making each and every member of the club, be the very best that they can be. If that results in them being selected as the World Athlete of the Year, that would be brilliant, but the goal is to make each and every athlete the best they can be,” the MVP president said.

If successful, Jackson would join former 100m world-record holder Asafa Powell (now retired), five-time 100m World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (now at Elite Performance) and fastest woman alive over 100m Elaine Thompson Herah (who parted ways with MVP in 2021), as MVP members who have been honoured with this prestigious award.

The other finalists for the 2023 award include Ethiopia’s marathon world record holder Tigist Assefa; Holland’s women’s 400m hurdles world champion and indoor 400m world record holder Femke Bol; Kenya’s double World Championships gold medallist Faith Kipyegon and Venezuela’s triple jump world champion Yulimar Rojas.

Voting was a three-way process that included the World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family voting via e-mail, while fans logged their decisions via the World Athletics social media platforms.

The World Athletes of the Year will be announced on World Athletics’ platforms on December 11, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2023.