Trelawny’s wide-open skies raised a lanky boy with a mischievous grin and legs that moved like lightning—Usain Bolt. Not far from there, in the heart of Waterhouse, a gritty pocket of Kingston, a determined girl named Shelly-Ann chased dreams barefoot, racing boys down narrow streets, her mother’s sacrifices stitched into her every stride. They were carved by hardship, driven by purpose, and guided by something uniquely Jamaican—a resilient fire that said: “Wi likkle but wi tallawah.” In September 2009, after a historic season of setting the 100m and 200m records that are still untouched, Bolt was honored like royalty back at home. Now, after more than a decade, Fraser-Pryce has received similar reverence!

Then-Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that Bolt would be granted full diplomatic privileges and a diplomatic passport. A major highway—Highway 2000—would be renamed the Usain Bolt Highway. And he’d receive the Order of Jamaica, the country’s fourth-highest honor—the youngest ever to do so at age 23. Ultimately, it was a statement not just of appreciation, but of legacy: Bolt wasn’t just ours. He was Jamaica’s global gift. Fast forward to 2025, and the baton of love has now been handed over to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Yes, in 2022, Shelly-Ann’s Order of Distinction was elevated to the prestigious Order of Jamaica, recognizing her unshakeable excellence on and off the track. But this year, the honor hits closer to home—literally. According to a Jamaica Gleaner report on May 13, the street where Fraser-Pryce’s dreams first took shape—Ashoka Road in Waterhouse, St Andrew—will be renamed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive. The announcement, made by Mayor Andrew Swaby in a KSAMC meeting, confirmed the renaming ceremony will take place on May 25 at 2 p.m. The resolution? 

It was moved months earlier on September 10, 2024 (some say that the resolution was moved on October 8) by Councillor Byron Clarke in the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber, where the voices of the people still echo with pride. However, this isn’t just a sign on a wall. It’s a symbol. Of where she came from. Of how far she’s gone. And of how deeply she’s loved. Now, Jamaica will have two streets bearing two names—Usain Bolt Highway and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive.

Two stories started on opposite sides of the island but met on the world stage. Two hearts that beat in sync with the rhythm of a nation. Overall, two champions who ran for more than medals—they ran for legacy. Not only did the Jamaican government, but also international groups, award Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt almost the same prize. How? Let’s dive deep. 

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt appeared on the same stage 

Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce were the 2013 Male and Female World Athletes of the Year by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) at a star-studded ceremony in Monaco in November 2013.

Bolt, already a global icon, continued to raise the bar in 2013. At the World Championships in Moscow, he stormed to gold in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay, pushing his World Championship medal tally to eight golds and two silvers—a record that officially made him the most decorated athlete in the event’s history. With his trademark charisma and blistering speed, Bolt once again proved why he was the undisputed “Fastest Man Alive.”

On the women’s side, SAFP was equally unstoppable. Matching Bolt stride for stride, she also captured three gold medals in the same events—100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay. Already an Olympic champion, she added to her growing legacy, which included two previous World Championship golds and two silvers. Reflecting on the honor, Fraser-Pryce said, “I’m shocked and excited—it’s something I’ve always dreamed of.” What made the moment even more special was its historical significance. 

It was the first time in 20 years—since two British athletes did so in 1993—that a pair from the same country claimed both top honors in the same year. That country wasn’t one of the traditional giants—it was Jamaica, a small island with a big heart and an even bigger legacy in sprinting. After all, it was the year the world watched two extraordinary athletes—raised on the same island, running with the same fire—conquer the sport together. Meanwhile, Jamaica didn’t just take the podium. Jamaica became the podium.