Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, has expressed her intention to retire following the culmination of the 2024 Games, citing familial obligations.
Renowned globally as an exceptional sprinter, Fraser-Pryce clinched the 100-metre championship in both 2008 and 2012. The Jamaican athlete additionally secured an Olympic relay gold during the Tokyo 2020 Games, along with three out of her remarkable tally of ten world titles, marking a triumphant return post-birth of her son in 2017.
Reflecting on her decision, she shared that every day, as she rises to pursue her training, she is reminded of the invaluable support from her family. Their sacrifices have propelled her forward throughout the years. It’s now time for her to reciprocate.
Emphasising the significance of the upcoming Paris Olympics, she remarked that this year’s Olympics in Paris were about “showing people that you stop when you decide. I want to finish on my own terms.”
Fraser-Pryce’s illustrious career boasts three Olympic golds, accompanied by four silvers and a bronze.
Furthermore, despite securing a world bronze in the previous World Championships, she remains a formidable contender for the Paris 2024 Olympics, slated for July and August.
In 2019, she etched her name in history by becoming the oldest woman to clinch the 100-metre world title in Doha, a feat she repeated at the age of 35 in Eugene in 2022—a remarkable 14 years after her initial Olympic triumph.
Addressing the legacy she aims to leave behind, she asserted, “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.”