“Usain? I saw him recently, in Kingston, where he had come to see me run one last time in Jamaica. I said to him: ‘Wouldn’t you go to train?’ He replied with a pout. “
Ray of the record, Shelly-Ann has nothing to envy to Usain, she who was twice Olympic champion (2008, 2012) and five times world champion (2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2022) on 100 m, among others…
“I am proud of my career because it forms a whole: medals, of course, but also disappointments, injuries, like last year. I who am a faithful of the van Damme memorial, I could not come.”
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During his athletic journey, the one we nicknamed “Pocket Rocket”, then “Mommy Rocket”, has always run against the time. His personal records testify to this: 10.60 over 100 m and 21.79 over 200 m. Beyond that, there were many opponents, including … Kim Gevaert, the director of the Memorial Van Damme, who likes to remind her that she beat her twice, for a defeat.
“Ah yes! We should organize a race between us …”
A pile wish since Kim, who celebrated his 47th birthday on August 5, ended his career when that of Shelly-Ann flew with his Olympic coronation in 2008, in Beijing.
“My first international competition dates from 2007, in Osaka, where the World Cup took place and where I participated in the series of the 4×100 m relay, which earned me to receive the silver medal. I never imagined, at the time, to accomplish this career. And I will be happy to complete the mid-September loop, in Tokyo. Japan and Jamaic over there.”
Between Osaka 2007 and Tokyo 2025, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has gone through her career in a dazzling way, as his exit from starting blocks. Nothing really stopped her. Neither an operation of the appendix in April 2009 nor a positive control following a rage of teeth in 2010 nor the childbirth of her son, Zyon, in August 2017, which she has with Jason Pryce, her husband whom she has known since 2008.
“My son is very sporty and bad loser like his mother! He is playing football. He is currently on an internship in Italy. But he often challenges me. It is an energy ball.”
Zyon, Jason, these are undoubtedly the reasons why the Jamaican “bomb” decided to stop at the end of 2025. But don’t talk to him about farewell tour!
“I’m still as ambitious. When I show up on the starting line, it’s to win. 2025 is my last season, but don’t think I take it in dilettante. I still want it. In particular, in Tokyo. My coming to Brussels is a step for me, where the way may be more important than the result. I also want to enjoy each moment, the public and the press. When I was very hard.
I will leave this world without bitterness. I have so many good memories.
But what is the secret of the longevity of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce? “”I am both passionate and disciplined. But, above all, I like to run. I have never been reluctant to train. This does not prevent me from leaving this world without bitterness. I have so many good memories. “
And it does not matter that her record for the Brussels meeting (10.72, in 2013) will be threatened by the American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (24 years old), rising star of the discipline.
“On the contrary! I always liked to be confronted with the best as was the case, at the time, with Carmelita throw away. Our rivalry pushed us to give everything. I hope this will be the case with Melissa this Friday evening …”