Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, and not for nothing. In her prime event, the 100m, she has won two Olympic titles along with four World titles. The Jamaican sprinter is set to compete in the 100m in the Continental Gold Tour event in Nairobi. And this year, the sprinter seems to have set her sights on a new record.
“I am glad I never stopped even after I gave birth to my son. I believed in a dream,”?said?Fraser-Pryce. She added,?”I believe I can run 10.50 hence I am working towards that. It?s about passion and belief.”
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The legacy of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
The 35-year-old Fraser-Pryce has seven medals from the Olympics and 12 from the World Athletics Championships. Undoubtedly, she is an inspirational story for many. Recently, Fraser-Pryce was named the 4th best athlete of the 21st century behind Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and Brazilian soccer player Marta.
At the London Games in 2012, she became the third woman to repeat as Olympic 100-meter champion, with a personal best (10.70 seconds). Improving on that time at the Lausanne Diamond League in 2021, Fraser-Pryce ran a new 100 m personal best of 10.60 seconds. This recorded the third-fastest time ever in the women’s 100m.
Now, Fraser-Pryce is the second-fastest woman alive. At the Kip Keino Classic set for Saturday, May 7, she will be facing her rival?Sha?Carri Richardson. This is the most awaited showdown this season. It seems that Fraser-Pryce is aiming for a 10.50 or even 10.40 this year.
How motherhood affected Fraser-Pryce?s career
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In early 2017, Fraser-Pryce announced her pregnancy. Subsequently, she gave birth to her son, Zyon, the day after the conclusion of the 2017 World Championships. Many expected Fraser-Pryce to retire in light of her motherhood. But she announced her comeback and returned to training within ten weeks. Incredibly, the sprinter was competing again by the next year. And in May 2018, she won the 100 m at the Kingston All-Comers Meet in 11.52 seconds.
Branded now as the “Mommy Rocket”, Fraser-Pryce has expressed her obstacles in juggling her career and family on multiple occasions. However, the Olympian never wavered and often attributes it to a newfound strength in sprinting.
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In 2019, she claimed her fourth title in the World Championships 100 meters. Additionally, she was a member of the gold-winning 4 ? 100-meter relay team. She considers it a victory for motherhood. Her trajectory since 2017 has been an inspiration to many athletes wishing to remain competitive alongside starting families.
WATCH THIS STORY: WATCH: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Finishes Second in Her Season Debut; 28-Year-Old Clinches First Place