For Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 2024 Paris Olympics holds more significance than most others. The Jamaican veteran sprinter has been a driving force in continuing the country’s dominance in track sports for four Olympics, and just last week, she secured her spot on the national team for a staggering fifth time. Understandably, the efforts she has put in have been more difficult than many of her peers.

2023 had been a year that saw the three-time Olympic gold medalist struggle with injuries. And yet, her determination to go out with a bang seems to have become a more overpowering urge than watching her colleagues from the sidelines. As the 37-year-old waits to lock horns with Sha’Carri Richardson once again, she isn’t one to give up without a fight.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce crossed mountains to be on the team

In an article by Olympics.com on July 1, Shelly-Ann talked about how she had to struggle to keep up with her younger opponents. With the injury not completely behind her, the sprinting star noted how the season has been a tough challenge. “It has been such a trying season,” said the Jamaican, as she revealed that staying healthy is the only thought that’s on her mind right now.

The five-time Diamond League gold medalist will be meeting the world’s best runners in Paris. But she remains unfazed with the desire of making the national team being the primary goal leading up to the trials. “It has been challenging but I was able to, with grit, perseverance and determination, secure a spot on the team and give myself the opportunity to represent Jamaica again at the Olympics,” she was quoted in the article.

As Shelly-Ann urges the fans to support her and her teammates at the upcoming Olympics, her reluctance to jump into the thick of things remains a crucial contributor to her followers’ skepticism.

Not much of field action for the veteran

According to the official World Athletics website, Fraser-Pryce has had a relatively laid-back 2024 so far. While most of the world’s top runners have made use of every opportunity to test the waters before the Olympics, the 10-time World Championships gold medalist has chosen instead to let her body rest. In 2024, Shelly-Ann ran at only two events, both at the National Stadium in Kingston.

In mid-June, Fraser-Pryce participated in the JAAA Olympics French Foray, where she finished first in the women’s 100m race with a time of 11.15 seconds. A couple of weeks later, she returned to finish third in the women’s 100m sprint at the Jamaican Olympic Team Trials, behind only Shericka Jackson and 19-year-old Tia Clayton. Clocking 10.94 seconds at last week’s race, this wasn’t Shelly-Ann’s best performance in the distance, but considering her age, fans can’t help but be in awe of her winning mentality and iron will to continue to go toe-to-toe with what the rest of the world has to offer.

The Paris Olympics are only a few weeks away. Will Shelly-Ann be able to end her illustrious career with a memorable bang? Or will her age catch up to her in her final run? Share your predictions in the comments below!