The triple Olympic and ten-time world champion talks through overcoming setbacks, the power of motherhood and her definition of success in Tokyo
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has unfinished business in Tokyo.
At last year’s Paris Olympics, the Jamaican’s quest to reach her fifth consecutive 100m podium at the Games was abruptly halted in the semi-finals.
After storming through her heat in 10.92 (0.8) – only bettered by Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith’s 10.87 at that stage of the competition – Fraser-Pryce looked confident and, the following day, travelled to the Stade de France for her semi-final.
The sprinter was however denied entry to the stadium and, even though access was eventually granted, she was thrown off her usual routine. Fraser-Pryce withdrew from the 100m, with Jamaica’s chef de mission Ian Kelly’s later stating it was due to a hamstring injury.
The triple Olympic and ten-time world champion is now preparing to compete at her ninth consecutive and final World Athletics Championships. This time round, she is keen to leave the global stage on her own terms.
“I think last year was such an emotional one for me and I had so many things that I was dealing with both on and off the track,” Fraser-Pryce told the global media on a World Athletics video call. “I felt like going into Paris, you know it was hard. It was tough. But I felt I did enough, so it was like that moment was just taken from me. Whether it’s the circumstances or things like that, I believe I didn’t get the opportunity to really do what I know I could have done in that moment.
“It was hurtful. It was the first time in my entire career that I’ve never been able to step to a line. And if anyone knows me, it doesn’t matter what’s happening, I’m going to be at the line. You know, it was heartbreaking and something I found difficult to understand. Mentally, like man, I’ve had injuries before, I’ve had setbacks and I’ve really been tough and got it done. And this time I wasn’t able to actually get to the line.
“I had a panic attack after that day and it was very tough. I think that’s really what unfinished business is; having the opportunity to really end things on my terms and walking away knowing that I gave everything. So that’s what I’m looking forward to [in Tokyo]. And I think for me, in the span of my entire career, when we talk about resilience, it’s knowing your power and owning it. It’s knowing what you’re capable of and trusting in that…
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