JAMAICA OLYMPIC Association President Christopher Samuda is among those paying tribute to multi-World Championships and Olympic medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce after the 38-year-old confirmed that she will be retiring from the sport of track and field.
Ahead of June’s National Championships, Fraser-Pryce had disclosed that those Trials would be the final time she will compete inside the National Stadium in Kingston and that the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan would be her last international competition, but stayed clear on any plans to compete on the Diamond League circuit.
However, in a statement via her social media pages on Monday night, Fraser-Pryce confirmed she was stepping off the track, having represented Jamaica for more than 18 years.
Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Samuda hailed Fraser-Pryce as a treasure and described her retirement as the end of a golden era on the track for a member of Jamaica’s Olympic household.
“But you know a treasure defies seasons and its value and legacy are timeless. Shelly has imprinted lives on the track and life in the sport of athletics, with character and a deep humanity that goes beyond the fame of records, the digital glitz of electronic boards and yes, the fanfare of minted achievements. Waterhouse has given us a reservoir of hope and an oasis from which generations of youth can refresh themselves with humility, dignity, inspiration and an honest smile, that expresses the essence of who we should be and who we, as a people, can become.”
President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, Garth Gayle, expressed his organisation’s gratitude.
“Thank you for every unforgettable moment and for the profound legacy of passion and dedication you are leaving behind. You have not only achieved incredible success but have also inspired countless fans and generations of athletes both here and abroad. As you close this chapter, we wish you immense happiness and success in your next adventure. You will be missed, but never forgotten. It was an incredible era, and we wish you all the best in your retirement.”
Meanwhile track and field analyst Leighton Levy put into perspective the celebrated icon’s accomplishments.
GOAT
“It brings to an end what has been, in my mind the greatest sprinting career for any female athlete in history. There is a conversation about whether or not she is the GOAT (greatest of all time) which means she is the greatest 100 and 200-metre sprinter of all time, but the blue riband event is the 100 metres and her record speaks to it. It brings to an end what has been an outstanding era for Jamaica’s track and field standing, commencing in 2004 and ending now, 21 years later with some of the greatest sprinters that have ever lived in Jamaica that have ever existed or represented Jamaica. So it brings to an end one of the most glittering 100-metre careers for any female athlete in history and brings to an end a golden era for Jamaica’s track and field.”
Michael Carr, who coached Fraser-Pryce at Wolmers’ Girls, described his former charge as a beacon for present and future athletes.
“She has been an inspiration to many, not only in Jamaica and not only at Wolmer’s, but right across the world. When I look back at all the athletes that I have coached over my 46 years [as a coach], I really realise now that she’s a special one. I have not seen anymore like her, with her personality, character, talent, behavior, the whole works. So I’m happy to see that she is going while she is on top and she will continue to inspire the world, inspire young athletes. She has that type of personality that will attract persons and she has done it. I mean, she has announced to the world who she is. As far as many are concerned, she is the GOAT in female sprinting and I endorse that. So I just wish her all the best and hope that the path that she travels from, which is not from lane one to eight, but a path that will continue to inspire.”
During her glittering career Fraser-Pryce amassed eight Olympic medals and 16 World Championship medals, including five world titles in the 100 metres, a feat not accomplished by any other athlete, man or woman.
DREAM FULFILLED
On her return to the island on September 23, after leading Jamaica’s sprint relay team to a silver medal at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Fraser-Pryce told reporters at a reception at the Norman Manley International Airport that she had fulfilled her dream to leave international competition on her own terms.
“To be able to share the moment with upcoming queens that was also remarkable because I remember in 2007 when I started in Osaka (Japan) I was so intimidated by all the other athletes and I don’t think it’s any fault of theirs, it’s just how I looked at myself at that time. So I am hoping that with me there in that moment, they will feel inspired and understand that there is so much more for them to achieve and they only have to go for it. And yes you gonna be 21, you gonna be 30 and all the other ages, but as far as I am concerned, nobody can tell you where and how, only you. When I stepped off the track on Sunday night [September 21] in the pouring rain I could actually say I emptied it and left it all (on the track).”
In 2018 the government of Jamaica awarded Fraser-Pryce the Order of Distinction and that was upgraded in 2022 to the Order of Jamaica.
Sport Minister Olivia Grange said the government, in collaboration with the athletes at the World Athletics Championships, were planning a suitable celebration, which would include a fitting tribute to the retired Fraser-Pryce.
“Shelly has truly been outstanding and a great role model for the women of Jamaica,” said Grange.
“We must do something for Shelly to honour her and we are in consultations as to what is the appropriate function for the athletes because they are young people and they don’t like the formal kind of events and so we are consulting with them to see what they would like and then we will stage that event. But we will be doing something very special for Shelly.”
