Home/Track & Field

via Getty

via Getty

0
  Debate

Debate

Is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce making the right call by skipping her last race for the Paris Olympics?

The athletic world was waiting steadfastly to witness ‘Mommy Rocket’ one last time before she took herself away from the track. But fate had a unique plan, and as a result, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has now taken herself out of her latest European contest. The ten-time world champion already mentioned that the upcoming Olympics will be her last game before her retirement. On that note, the scheduled Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern could have been one of her last outings before the Olympics, as she was all set to participate in the 100-meter event. 

However, as per the updates today, in the warm-ups, Shelly-Ann found discomfort, and being cautious of the situation, she decided to walk off from the field. Notably, after her appearance at the Budapest World Athletics Championships last year, the Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern could be her first outing on European soil. But the situation has turned out differently now, as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is now counting her steps minutely and saving herself for D-day in the French capital. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Meanwhile, in her absence at the meet, the feast was served to Mujinga Kambundji as she pushed another Jamaican athlete, Kemba Nelson, out of the first-place finish. In front of her home crowd, Kambundji took 11.20 seconds (-0.8) to win the race. However, that time proved to be way below all of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s performances this year. In fact, the 37-year-old took just 13 days to reach 10.91 seconds while starting at 11.15 seconds this year. On that measure, Shelly-Ann had a serious chance to shave off a few more fractions of seconds from her best time this year while sprinting at the Luzern Athletic Meet. However, as of now, her fans will have to wait a few more days to watch her run, as possibly the Paris Olympics will be her next stop on the list. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

For Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the Olympic season started late, as she wanted to take her strides with zero fear of injury. That is the reason that she entered only the 100-meter Olympic event in the Jamaican trials, opting out of the 200-meter event. But after today, there might be a careful look at the three-time Olympic champion’s fitness status. 

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce increases wait as her fitness status raises questions 

Till now, no update has been served on the actual reason for Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s backing out at the last minute. But the athletic world would like to think it is nothing serious. However, this season, the rest of the members of the Jamaican trio have already shown injury signs. A few days ago, Shericka Jackson had to stop just inches away from the finishing line in the 100m event at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Hungary, feeling a hamstring pull. On the other hand, the reigning Olympic sprint double champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah, already pulled herself out of the Jamaican trials because of her Achilles injury. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What’s your perspective on:

Is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce making the right call by skipping her last race for the Paris Olympics?

Have an interesting take?

So Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will have to take extra responsibility at the Paris Olympics to hoist the Jamaican flag once again. She has been doing this for the last 16 years, since her debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. So why not another day? Meanwhile, if she leaves the platform with another Olympic medal, her tale will receive a perfect ending. However, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has already been concerned with her fitness, and after grabbing her Olympic qualification last month, she said something about this. 

“As I go through the rest of the reason, I’m just praying that I stay healthy and continue to work, because it’s never over until it’s over,” she added on that note. Therefore, a lot more is at stake for her this season. Let’s hope nothing serious comes out of her fitness level.

Have something to say?

Let the world know your perspective.