![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1550544546.jpg)
via Getty
MADRID, SPAIN – 2023/07/22: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrates after winning the women’s 100 meters sprint race during the World Athletics Continental Tour or WACT/Europe Silver Athletics Meeting at Vallehermoso stadium in Madrid. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1550544546.jpg)
via Getty
MADRID, SPAIN – 2023/07/22: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrates after winning the women’s 100 meters sprint race during the World Athletics Continental Tour or WACT/Europe Silver Athletics Meeting at Vallehermoso stadium in Madrid. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, or as New Zealand rugby star Michaela Blyde likes to call her “The QUEEN of sprinting,” will retire after the 2024 Olympics. However, before her last hurrah on the Olympic stage, the Jamaican icon decided to make the Paris Olympics an unforgettable one for Blyde. The 3x Olympic medalist gave the ruby athlete the surprise of her life when she followed her on Instagram.
Michaela Blyde posted a TikTok that chronicled everything that transpired after the sprinter followed her. The Tokyo 2020 rugby seven gold medalists freaked out the moment when she received a “priority notification,” about the 37-year-old following her. Within seconds, the rugby player was jumping in joy as she showed the notification to her roommate.
Although Blyde was in tears, it was just the beginning, as the pair exchanged texts and then met in person. “Na stop. I just met my idol. The QUEEN of sprinting in bare feet, a stained shirt, and oversized pants. My family would be so proud,” the 28-year-old wrote in her caption. However, the New Plymouth resident didn’t muster the courage to text her icon.
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via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s 200m – Semifinal – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2021. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica in action during Semifinal 1 REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 5
How do you feel about Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce inspiring athletes worldwide?
Incredibly Motivated
Proud
Indifferent
Skeptical
Do you think Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele made the right decision by skipping the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Yes, they needed rest
No, they should have shown patriotism
Undecided
Whats your Perspective on:
Seeing Portia Woodman meet her idol, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, reminds us why we love sports!
Have an interesting take?
What do you think Carissa Moore's biggest challenge will be after the Paris Olympics?
Maintaining motivation
Balancing personal life
Facing younger competitors
Adapting to new training methods
Do you think Lydia Ko's focus on the Hall of Fame is affecting her performance?
Yes, it's a distraction
No, she's just in a slump
Maybe, but she'll bounce back
Not at all, she's focused on the game
Instead, it was a teammate who typed the message and pressed send while Blyde had a meltdown from the excitement. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce graciously accepted her fan’s proposal to meet. However, when the time came, the Tokyo 2020 gold medalist even forgot to wear her shoes. Yet it was worth it, as the 8x Olympic medalist seemed delighted to meet Blyde.
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The pair hugged, while Fraser-Pryce reminded Bylde she needed to breathe. Meanwhile, the defending rugby champion could barely believe that she was standing in front of the woman she idolized for years. At that moment, Michaela Blyde forgot that she was an athlete herself and a fan girl whose wildest dream had just come true. However, you may be wondering how the sprinting legend even became aware of the athlete from New Zealand.
Did social media help Michaela Blyde meet Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
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The 3x Commonwealth Games medalist’s TikTok on her fangirl moment came barely a day after her original video. On July 26th, the Olympian posted a video where she was nearly on the verge of tears. Blyde revealed that she saw the Jamaican track and field icon from afar, and that was enough to overwhelm her with emotion. After all, it’s not every day that you get to participate in the same Olympic Games which will be the final contest of your sporting icon’s historic career.
What’s your perspective on:
Seeing Portia Woodman meet her idol, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, reminds us why we love sports!
Have an interesting take?
Blyde didn’t disclose if Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce followed her after watching that real. However, it’s safe to assume that was the case because the two didn’t know one another. Their brief meeting in Paris was the pair’s first in-person encounter. Yet regardless of how they met, the most decorated female Olympian across 100m, gave her fellow athlete a moment she’ll cherish forever. In fact, Michaela Blyde may not be this happy even if she and her team manage to defend their gold medals in Paris.
Debate
Seeing Portia Woodman meet her idol, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, reminds us why we love sports!