“… I am super proud of her… It is just a great feeling seeing these phenomenal women burning up the track,” said Usain Bolt in an interview in 2022. The sprinting legend was weighing in on Jamaican female sprinting, saluting Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah. This was post the 2022 World Championships, where Shelly clocked 10.67 seconds, the then fastest time ever in the event at the World Championships, to secure her 13th gold medal at the global senior level. Now, as she geared up for her last race on her home soil, Bolt had something special to say…

Usain Bolt, casually strolling on the track at the Jamaican National Stadium, faced a question on June 27: “What does Shelly mean to Jamaica?” In a classic Bolt way, he answered, “…there’s glory and greatness in it. I’m very happy for her. See, her career is longer than mine. It has been a long time, but she keeps going; we need more medals in the country. Happy for that! Big up Shelly!” Bolt and Shelly have known each other since their junior years and got to the senior level together. Both of them won their first Olympic gold in Beijing 2008. But Usain decided to retire in 2017, just a few days before he turned 31, and Shelly continued creating and rewriting history. And now he is cheering her on for her career’s last Jamaican national championships at the age of 38. And honestly, why not?

After all, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is one of those names that must go down in the history of Jamaican track and field as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time. Well, she is the first woman from the Caribbean to win an Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters. But this isn’t it! Over nearly two decades on the world stage, she has won eight Olympic medals, three of which are gold, and ten world titles, and she remains the only sprinter to win the 100 m world title five times. In 2019, she became the oldest woman ever and the first mother to win a world 100 m title. She clinched the world title again in 2022 in Oregon. Also, this wasn’t the first time that Usain Bolt showered his praises on Shelly…

Bolt, during a visit to his alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High, in 2022, said, “…when she wins, we win as Jamaicans. I am happy to see what she is doing… I know she is not finished… she has a lot left in the tank, because she is determined…” And well, where was the lie? Three years down the line, she is still running…but now she has entered her final season, and Usain Bolt has sent her words of motivation. How did she do, especially when troubles were looming over the race? Also, interestingly, the two shared a moment after her race as well.

Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce share a moment in her last home race

“In the next two days, it will be my final time gracing the National Stadium, and honestly, it’s one of those moments that I’m looking forward to. I have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.” Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce said 2 days ahead of the national trials, during a Nike event. She also said, “As I stand on the track, it’s not just about competition—it’s about what’s possible….It’s about changing the narrative around women in elite sprinting.” So, how did her final race on Jamaican soil go?

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce clocked 10.91 seconds to finish third in the finals of the women’s 100m at the Jamaica National Trials. She finished behind Tina Clayton’s 10.81s and Shericka Jackson’s 10.88. After the race, the legend took her time to reflect on the time she had raced on Jamaican soil. She made a tearful statement, walked around the stadium, addressing fans and fellow athletes, and guess who she ran into? The audience in the stadium saw a GOAT-meet-GOAT moment as Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce shared a moment and clicked pictures after the race. She has qualified for the Tokyo World Championships. How do you think she will perform there?