Jackson leads J’can Diamond League campaign

World Championships 200 metres winner Shericka Jackson headlines the Jamaicans who will open their Diamond League campaign today in Doha, Qatar.

Jackson, who clocked a world-leading 10.82 seconds in her 100 metres opener last month in Kingston, will face a strong line-up at 12:12 p.m. (Jamaica time), which includes former World Championships 200 metres winner Dina Asher-Smith as well as Sha'Carri Richardson.

Already letting go of a 2022 season, which saw her become the second fastest woman in history over 200 metres, Jackson is determined to focus on the present as she looks to have a strong 100 metres campaign, which has already gotten off to the best possible start.

"It's a new year, and I don't have the same goals. I will probably have the same determination I had last year, but I have rewritten my goals, and I think it's a new season. I don't want to focus on what I did last year because I can't get back what I did last year. I have to work harder and focus on this season," Jackson said in STAR Sports in an interview on April 26.

Jackson's 10.82 performance was the first time she clocked sub-11 to start a 100 metres season in the three years she has competed in the event. Last year, Jackson finished second in the 100 metres final, clocking 10.81 behind five-time World Championships 100 metres winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who won her fifth Diamond League title.

Meanwhile, World Championships medallist Stephanie Ann McPherson will open her 400 metres campaign at 11:04 a.m. McPherson previously has been competing in the 100 and 200 metres events locally to start her season.

World Championships 4x400 metres relay silver medallist Candice McCleod will also line up in the event after opening her 400 metres campaign in Botswana on April 29 at the Bostwana Golden Grand Prix, finishing third in 51.17.

They will line up with World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams and Olympic and World Championship silver medallist Marileidy Paulino.

Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper will also be in action in the women's 100 metres hurdles at 11:48 a.m. facing off against Olympic champion and World Championship bronze medallist Jasmine Camacho Quinn.