Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will always be the first Jamaican to clinch gold in the 100m sprint of the Olympics. But that 2008 medal was not just championship glory. It was an answer to the backlash she had received from her own countrymen and women because she qualified. Doesn’t add up, right? The life story of this Jamaican icon is one of conquering adversity to become an inspiration for future champions. But after a career that spanned 5 Olympics and 9 Outdoor World Championships, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is ready to draw the curtains on her legendary career.

On Sunday, September 14, she ran her final 100m sprint at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships. It was an emotional affair all round, for her, for her friends on the track, and for her fans in the stadium and worldwide. But she was content with how it ended.

Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, a journalist, shared the clip on X on September 14, where she shared how she was feeling, especially when she received an ovation from the fans in the stadium. “I felt the love, I felt the support,” Fraser-Pryce said. “You know, I thank the fans for their support, always. It doesn’t matter what’s happening, they’re always supporting, always cheering. And for me, that’s what it’s all about. I hope that I gave them something to cheer for and to look forward to.”

Arguably the greatest Jamaican sprinter now, but in 2008, she was an unknown young 22-year-old. And her qualification for the Olympics after finishing second in the 100m trial was deemed a onetime wonder. Especially when fan-favorite and already a 2004 Olympic medalist, Veronica Campbell-Brown, did not make the final cut. Campbell-Brown placed fourth with a 10.88-second mark while Fraser-Pryce clocked 10.85 seconds.

The fans didn’t want to gamble then on a newcomer. But the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) backed the results, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce went to Beijing. Well, the rest, as we know, is history. “It has been my blessing to represent my country,” the 10-time World Champion said to one of the reporters. “And it has been my blessing to be able to do this for such a long time. You know, God has truly been good to me, and I cannot say that enough.”

She has had to win to prove she belongs in the sport. But in her last race on Sunday, she didn’t mind the outcome. “Making the finals in itself is a huge accomplishment,” she said. “Sure, it’s not the results that I would have wanted for myself, but that’s just life. You know, we just have to roll with the punches.”

Rather, she looks at the good memories. “I’ve been blessed to be a part of so many different finals … I’ve been privileged to race a lot of athletes across different generations.” And she’s won plenty. But it’s the relationships she has made and the friendships she has built that she is taking home, especially her bond with friend Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith, the 36-year-old World Champion sprinter from the Ivory Coast.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is 38 now, left the track with a sweet afterthought. That even though we are separated by numbers and gold, silver, bronze, our struggles are the same – overcoming challenges, injuries, and reaching our goal. And she still has one goal to deal with.

What’s next for Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce?

The Jamaican came sixth in the finals, clocking 11.03, while Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won her first World Championships gold after running a 10.61. Then came fellow Jamaican Tina Clayton in second place. In fact, the Fraser-Pryce was in a great mood, celebrating the resurgence of the Jamaicans on the world stage.

As she put it, the crown is back, “Right where it belong, in Kingston, Jamaica. Right here, home of world-class athletes.” And she still has a part to play in contributing to the Jamaican legacy. Since the Paris Olympics, she had stepped away from the 200m. But not the 4×100? “I’m also trying to not get my emotions too going because I still have the 4x100s to run,” Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce said. “And I’m looking forward to representing my country again. And you know, giving my ultimate best for the team.”

What are the chances she adds another gold? The Jamaicans are in hot form, and this could very well serve as a dreamy farewell for this track queen.

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