“The decision not to travel to Birmingham was taken out of an abundance of caution after she experienced some discomfort in training,” said a statement from her management.
The fastest woman alive was expected to match strides with the likes of compatriot Tokyo Olympics 100m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson, Olympic 200m bronze medallist Gabby Thomas as well as NCAA champion Cambrea Sturgis as well as Britain’s Daryll Neita.
However, with Jamaica’s National Championships just over a month away, Thompson-Herah, who has been troubled by a longstanding foot injury was not taking any chances. The 29-year-old Jamaican has been unbeaten so far this season running 10.89 to win her heat at the USATF Golden Games in California on April 16 and 10.93 to win at the Puerto Rico International Athletics Classic on May 12.
In her 200m opener at the JAAA/SDF Jubilee meet in Kingston on May 7, the five-time Olympic gold medallist won in 22.75.
With the World Championships and Commonwealth Games on the schedule as major games this year, the Jamaicans are expected to see quite a bit of each other over the coming months.
McLeod, unfortunately, did not get the opportunity to defend his title as he missed out on making the Jamaica squad after failing to qualify from the country’s national trials and will no doubt have his eyes set on redemption later this year.
For his part, Parchment has in the meantime established himself as the country’s top performer at the event and will be looking to keep the wins coming in.
“So far I am feeling good, I think I am in good form,” Parchment told members of the media on Thursday.
“I still have a lot of work to do but I am looking forward to executing a really good race [in Birmingham] and hoping to get a really lovely time on this beautiful track.”
The race will also feature former world indoor champion Andrew Pozzi of Great Britain.”
Parchment finished ahead of countryman and 2016 Olympic champion Omar McLeod who ran a season’s best 13.17 for second, while Spain’s Asier Martinez was third in 13.22.
Reigning Olympic bronze medallist in the Women’s 100m Shericka Jackson narrowly finished second in the Women’s blue-ribband event, running 11.12 to finish behind British 2019 200m World champion Dina Asher-Smith (11.11). Asher-Smith’s countrywoman Daryll Neita was third in 11.14.
Olympic 800m finalist Natoya Goule was third in the Women’s 800m in 2:00.13 behind Olympic silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain (1:58.63) and Renelle Lamote of France (1:59.53).
