KINGSTON, Jamaica— Two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and world champion Sha’Carri Richardson of the USA were earlier today temporarily delayed entry to the warm-up track at the Stade de France, Paris as they arrived to start preparations for Saturday afternoon’s semi-finals and final of the women’s 100m at the Olympic Games.

Video obtained by Observer Online showed both women, two of the most well-known athletes at the Games, waiting outside the entrance to the facility as officials denied them entry.

The two are expected to battle for the gold medal in the women’s 100m later this afternoon.

Based on information gained, both athletes had arrived at the venue in private vehicles, not the athletes’ shuttle provided by the organisers and were told they could not be allowed in.

A second video which saw Fraser-Pryce explaining what was going on also showed the American and someone who looks to be a coach being led away by another Games official, presumably to another entry.

The actions by the officials at the gate is not unusual at major sporting events since anyone, athlete or media, who arrives in a vehicle that is not part of the pool provided by the organisers would have to undergo further security screening.

At major international events/championships, official buses are provided to take accredited personnel from hotels to venues in ‘sterile conditions’.

-Paul A Reid