Nicknamed the ‘Pocket Rocket’, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is one of the best sprinters of all time. Known for her explosive block starts, she is the third fastest woman ever. Combine her speed and her petite stature, and you’ll know how she got that nickname! The Jamaican track and field sprinter competes in the 60 m, 100 m, and 200 m categories. A force to be reckoned with, she has, compared to other female sprinters, the maximum number of individual global sprint titles.

The three-time Olympic Champion, ten-time World Champion, four-time Olympic Games silver medalist, and five-time Diamond League Final winner currently holds a world ranking of 164. She has been one of the most enduring track athletes in history. Retired American sprinter Michael Johnson spoke about Fraser-Pryce and said, “Her longevity is extremely impressive…and I think it’s often underrated. She’s lived in the shadow of Usain Bolt… They both won their first Olympic titles in the same year—2008. He’s long since retired and she’s still going, she’s had a child, come back, and run even faster. It’s a testament to her greatness — her longevity and consistency is amazing in an event that is so difficult.”

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s age and physical attributes

Born on December 27, 1986, the 37-year-old has had a career spanning over a decade and a half, consistently excelling at major competitions. From the late 2000s to the early 2020s, she has been credited with ushering in a golden age of Jamaican sprinting. After winning the world title in 2019, she became the first mother in 24 years to secure the 100m world title. In 2022, she set a record as the oldest sprinter to become world champion at age 35. While the average age of Olympic sprinters is typically 26 to 28, with elite sprinters peaking in their mid to late twenties, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce defies societal norms and continues to perform at an exceptional level, regardless of age or physical expectations.

Being shorter and lighter than her competitors actually contributes to her speed. With a personal best of 10.6 seconds, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has expertly leveraged her physical stature to her advantage. As she gears up for what might be her final Olympics, she’s sure to give it her all.

Her starting age, career longevity, and last Olympics

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce began competing at just 10 years old and achieved notable success by age 16. Her career longevity is due to a combination of talent, hard work, expert nutrition, diet, sports science, and coaching. Increased sponsorship in athletics has also been a motivating factor. Raised in an impoverished neighborhood with her two brothers by her mother, who worked as an unlicensed street vendor, Fraser-Pryce’s early life and determination have been integral to her success. “Being from the inner city, that’s how I survived,” Shelly-Ann told Essence. “When I look back, I can see [that my environment] cultivated the person who I am. I’m strong. Determined. I’m persistent…Being fierce for competition is not necessarily about anyone else. It’s just me.” Life was quite uncertain in the violence-plagued Waterhouse district of Kingston, but this did not stop little Shelly from letting her dreams take flight.

After a long and illustrious career, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has announced her retirement following the 2024 Paris Olympics, citing a commitment to her family as her reason. She has promised to give her best performance at the Games, and there is no doubt she will deliver. Despite a challenging start in life, Fraser-Pryce’s dedication, willpower, and hard work have cemented her legacy as a champion for both her contemporaries and future generations.