Though the dream of rewriting history still lingers, Jamaica’s World and Olympic medallist Shericka Jackson insists breaking the 200m world record is not a daily obsession. Instead, the two-time world champion is taking a measured approach, focusing on building back her form as she eyes the World Athletics Championships later this year in Japan.

Jackson made the declaration on the eve of her 200m season opener at the Wanda Diamond League curtain-raiser in Xiamen, as she acknowledged that Florence Griffith-Joyner’s longstanding 21.34-second mark remains a goal, but not a burden.

"For me, I think in 2023 I had a really good shot, and I was brave enough to say it because at one time, I wasn’t brave enough to say I wanted to break the world record,” Jackson shared candidly during a press conference.

"It is something that I still have in mind. Do I focus on it? No. I just take it each step at a time, and I think if it’s supposed to be, then it will come," she added.

Jackson later finished second in her first outing over the distance, clocking 22.79 seconds behind American Anavia Battle, who won in a meeting record of 22.41s. Jenna Prandini of the United States rounded out the top three in 22.97s.

At 30 years old, Jackson — the second-fastest woman ever over 200m with her blistering 21.41 run last year — remains one of the brightest stars in global sprinting. But after a 2024 campaign marred by injuries that forced her to withdraw from the Paris Olympics, her immediate focus is simply on maintaining a clean bill of health.

Jackson’s gradual approach reflects not only a mature athlete's wisdom but also a quiet confidence that the best is still ahead.

"I just want to stay healthy, and once I’m healthy and having some fun, then anything is possible,” she emphasized.

"I just want to cross the line healthy. It has been since June [2024] since I last raced competitively in the 200 metres, so I want to just take my time and work my way back in slowly. I’m not rushing anything," Jackson declared.