Jamaican sprint great Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to retire after Tokyo worlds

LONDON – Champion Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will hang up her spikes after the September world championships in Tokyo, having redefined what is possible for women in sport.

The three-time Olympic and 10-time world gold medallist announced she would compete for one more season in 2025, saying she had unfinished business after withdrawing from the 100 metres final at the 2024 Paris Olympics due to injury.

“I didn’t get the opportunity to do what I know I could have done in that moment,” the 38-year-old said.

“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.”

Despite limited races this season, she 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 travelled as a reserve for the 4x100m relay team.

“I just remember being so unsure of who I was, very mediocre goals, just happy to be there,” she said.

“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, who gave birth to son Zyon in 2017, said motherhood has been transformative in her career.

She shattered negative notions around pregnancy in sport by winning the 100m at the 2019 worlds and retaining the title in 2022.

“When I crossed that line (in 2019), I knew it was a victory, not just for me but for so many other women, for so many other mothers,” she told World Athletics.

“My son is my biggest motivation. I think for women, it teaches us that our dreams don’t end when we become mothers. If anything, (children) add value to our dreams and our goals.”

Fraser-Pryce also said the world championships starting on Sept 13 will be more than a farewell, a celebration of her resilience and excellence.

“Standing at that (starting) line... is a huge success,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to just celebrating the story, the commitment and the joy that this sport has given me.”

As for her race-day hair, fans can expect something bold.

“My hair is really signature,” said Fraser-Pryce, who is known for her brightly coloured hair.

“It’s almost like an alter-ego kind of thing, where I want to have so much fun, I want to be fierce, I want to be competitive, and I want to be me and authentic.” REUTERS