Jamaican sprinting legend Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce has revealed that this month’s World Championships in Tokyo will be her last hurrah. She intends to retire from the track after having redefined what is possible for women in sports.
The 38-year-old, known as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, will compete in the women’s 100 metres at the Championships, which will run from Sept. 13 to 21.
Fraser-Pryce, a three-time Olympic and ten-time world gold medallist, will compete for one more season in 2025 at the World Championships after withdrawing from the 100 metres final at last year’s Paris Olympics due to injury.
“I didn’t get the opportunity to do what I know I could have done in that moment, and it was hurtful.”
“It was the first time in my entire career that I’ve never been able to step to a line to compete,” Fraser-Pryce said.
Despite limited races this season, the sprinter known affectionately as the “Pocket Rocket” qualified for her ninth world championships by finishing third at the Jamaican trials in the 100m.
Fraser Pryce called it a “full-circle moment” from her first world championships in Osaka in 2007, where she traveled as a reserve for the 4x100m relay team.
“I just remember being so unsure of who I was, having very mediocre goals, and just happy to be there.”
“Fast forward to being here now, being able to be in this moment and confident of who I am, the woman I am, the mother I am, the athlete I am, it’s just such a remarkable feeling,” Fraser-Pryce said.
