Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Shares Heartfelt Statement Ahead of “final National Trials” Run

It has been an emotional past few days for Jamaican track and field as sprint legend, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce revealed that she will be saying farewell to the sport soon.

She made this announcement during a Nike hosted reception that was geared towards honouring her historical and storied career at the AC Hotel in Kingston on Tuesday, June 24.

While there were numerous reports which speculated that this would be the ‘Pocket Rocket’s’ final year in the sport, she confirmed it during her speech.

She said to the audience, ‘It will be my final year gracing the National Stadium as an athlete when I stand on the track on Thursday. It’s not for me, it’s for you. For the love, for the support and for the encouragement you have given me all these years.”

Shelly-Ann is Jamaica’s most decorated athlete with 25 medals consisting of fourteen gold medals, nineteen silver and two bronze and she is in pursuit for more to add to the collection as she will be competing for a spot on Jamaica’s roster for the World Athletics Championships. This will be held in Tokyo, Japan in September of this year.

Athletes seeking to qualify for the team will compete at the National Trials that are set to go on from Thursday, June 26 to Sunday, June 29 at the National Stadium in Kingston.

After the announcement on Tuesday the former Olympic champion took to social media to send a heartfelt message to her supporters on Wednesday.

A part of the lengthy statement read, “As I prepare for my final National Trials, I’m filled with gratitude for my journey, partners and most of all my people. Jamaica your love has carried me, and your pride has fuelled me. You were with me in every step I’ve taken.”

She also said, “With heart, purpose and with you supporting me, Jamaica’s best has yet to come.”

The comment section was filled with supporters and well-known, esteemed individuals showing their support for the track and field icon.

One of them being politician, Lisa Hanna who commented, “Legend” followed by a heart emoji .

Another one was former Miss Universe first runner-up, Yendi Phillips who said, “A national treasure and global icon, Thank you!”.

These were among many comments showing love and thanking the ‘Pocket Rocket’ for representing Jamaica proudly on the world stage.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is another athlete from Jamaica’s golden generation of sprinters that will no longer be competing and representing Jamaica soon. This list of household names who have retired includes, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell- Brown just to name a few.

These names have impacted track and field not just on a national scale, but a global one and Shelly-Ann will be acknowledged as what she truly is which is a legend of the sport.