“I haven’t confirmed that (retirement), so when I do, I’ll let you know. That’s what Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce said after storming to a 10.94s win (+3.1m/s wind) at Velocity Fest 17 in Kingston—her season opener. At 38, the Jamaican sprint icon isn’t slowing down, and she made it clear: retirement isn’t on her mind just yet. But just when the world was catching its breath from that dash, another race has now turned the heads of the entire track and field community!

Just when Jamaica seemed poised to cruise through the women’s 4x100m heats at the World Relays, the unexpected happened. Spain, yes, Spain, stormed to a national record of 42.18 seconds and left fans across the globe rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

It wasn’t just an upset; it was a statement. Esperança Cladera, Jaël Bestué, Paula Sevilla, and María Isabel Pérez didn’t defeat Jamaica, a country known for producing Olympic relay gold as if it were tradition, settling for second in 42.51 s. Qualification? Yes. But results? Disappointing.

Despite Jamaica finishing second, all eyes were on one woman, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. She didn’t anchor, but when she took that baton on the second leg at the World Relays, she ran like someone who had nothing to prove and yet everything to protect. Her stride was electric. Her handoff, clinical. The gap she closed? Vintage Shelly-Ann. And even though Spain snatched the spotlight with a national record, Fraser-Pryce’s effort felt like the soul of the race.

Let’s not forget, this was no random comeback. Just last month, she posted a stirring tribute to her journey, clips of her most iconic races flashing across the screen, ending with the words “Unfinished business.” The caption? “Time will honor your greatness—2025.” The message was loud: she’s not done yet. This is the same woman who became a world champion twice after becoming a mother. At 38, she’s seen generations come and go. But she’s still lacing up, still chasing that perfect race. And now, she’s heading to Doha. Yes, Fraser-Pryce will return to the Diamond League on May 16, marking her first appearance on that stage in three years.

She’s made it clear: it’s not just about medals anymore. It’s about legacy, leadership, and lifting others along the way. “Every race is an opportunity,” she said. And in Doha, she’s not just running for the clock; she’s running to remind the world of who she is!

But as of now, it is not Doha but her latest exploits in China that have fans going gaga!

Fans praise Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as she puts up a show

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce plans to retire after the 2025 season. But if her recent performances are anything to go by, fans simply aren’t having it. The Jamaican sprint icon clocked a blistering 10.94 seconds (+3.1 m/s wind) in her season opener at Velocity Fest 17, her first 100m race of the year at 38. And when she lit up the track again at the World Relays with a dominant second leg in the 4x100m, fans were quick to push back on the idea of her hanging up her spikes anytime soon.

“Until the younger ones can beat her to the line, she shouldn’t retire,” wrote one fan, summing up what many felt. And they’re not wrong. Shelly-Ann didn’t just show up; she stormed through the season opener, outrunning competitors half her age.

That second leg she ran in the 4x100m at the World Relays? Electric. Despite Jamaica finishing second, it was her leg that brought the crowd to their feet. “People keep saying she should retire and give chance to younger athletes,” another fan commented. “Can the younger athletes beat her on track? Look at that speed eating up other athletes.” And here’s the truth—Jamaica may have stumbled in the heats, but Fraser-Pryce ran with the kind of poise only a legend could summon. She clocked the team’s best split and showed she’s still the pillar of Jamaica’s relay hopes.

“If she retires this year, JA won’t have a female relay team,” someone else pointed out, and it’s a worry echoed throughout the athletics world. With Elaine Thompson-Herah out and others still finding form, Fraser-Pryce’s presence is vital. “You must not retire, Shelly, you were the fastest,” another comment pleaded.

“Wait. I thought she retired? She’s still running?” one confused fan asked. But that confusion just shows how rare it is to see athletes thrive this long.