If you thought Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was ready to hang up her cleats, think again! Fresh off a dazzling performance at the Jamaican Trials, the sprinting legend has secured her spot for a fifth Olympic appearance. At 37, Fraser-Pryce is poised to dominate the track and field events in the heart of the French capital. Radiating positivity and confidence, she’s been savoring some well-deserved downtime, soaking in the vibrant Parisian atmosphere before the competitions kick off on August 1 at the Stade de France. With her signature smile and unyielding spirit, Fraser-Pryce is far from done, ready to once again chase Olympic glory.

The sprinter was asked if she was enjoying her Summer Games experience more this year, considering this would be her final. But she chimed in with a smile, “Yeah, so it’s the final Olympic Games. Let me repeat that, okay?” Recent speculations about her retirement had fans concerned she would be leaving the sport for good. However, she had always reiterated that it would only apply to the Summer Games. Track & Field Gazette posted a snippet of this interaction on X. “2024 is not Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s 🇯🇲 final year! It is her final Olympic Games.” One more time for everyone in the back!

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is here to stay

While she isn’t leaving the sport any time soon, Fraser-Pryce will be done with the Olympics post-Paris for good. She further elaborates that her experience in the French capital has been good so far. “Just meeting people, and yesterday I went to Rugby. First time I went to a rugby match.” Even though she has had a fun time relaxing away, she stated this will be the last competition she will go watch because the track and field events begin next week.

The Jamaican sprinter has racked up 8 Olympic medals: 3 golds, 4 silvers, and 1 bronze. She is also the first woman to claim individual medals in four Olympic Games in the 100m event. The 3x Olympian’s stellar performance at the Jamaican Trials showed that she means business, and she will be looking to rack up a few more medals in the French capital. But the sprinter also has a few World Athletics Championship medals and titles under her belt.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has won a total of 15 World Championship medals: 10 golds and 5 silvers. She has also claimed the 100m title in 2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, and most recently in 2022. Even though she hasn’t raced as much this season, the 37-year-old looks forward to reminding the world that Jamaica is still here.

But what exactly started the rumor mills?

In February of this year, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce confirmed that she would be lacing up her spikes by the end of this year. Even though the Jamaican sprinter will always love the sport, she believes she needs to focus on her family now. “My husband [Jason] and I have been together since before I won in [Beijing] 2008. He has sacrificed for me. We’re a partnership, a team,” the sprinter told Essence.com. She confesses she couldn’t have done this without their support: “My son needs me.”

She believes she owes it to them and will pick something else to focus on. However, many knew they would still get to witness her magic on the track because of an announcement she had made in August 2023. “So, get ready Paris, here we come…” While this news left fans distraught, we now know she will continue building her legacy on the track. But once she’s taken a final bow on the world’s biggest stage, what will the sprinter shift her attention to?

Fraser-Pryce set up the Pocket Rocket Foundation in 2012. She wanted to help underprivileged student-athletes with their educational development. The children will receive scholarships that cover books, travel, lunch money, and more. ‘“It’s not enough that we step on a track and we win medals. You have to think about the next generation that’s coming after you and give them the opportunity to also dream—and dream big.” So there you have it; she might not compete in another Olympic game after Paris. But Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is not going anywhere!