Eight Time Olympic Medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Announces Retirement, Makes Final World Championship Team
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Katelyn Hutchison covers all things track and field.
World Athletics Championships Oregon22 – Day Three
Track and field sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce confirmed on June 23rd that this would be her final year running before beginning her retirement at the conclusion of the season. On Friday, the eight-time Olympic medalist competed in the Jamaica National Stadium one last time.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Qualifies For Her Ninth World Championship Team In The 100-Meter Dash
World Athletics Championships Oregon22 – Day Three
Yesterday at the Jamaica National Stadium, Fraser-Pryce ran her final race on Jamaican soil. She ran 10.91 in the 100-meter dash, placing third behind newly crowned Jamaican national champion Tina Clayton and runner-up Shericka Jackson to qualify for her last World Athletics Outdoor Championship. Clayton and Jackson ran 10.81 and 10.88, respectively.
“I’m just grateful to be able to be here tonight finishing healthy and be on the team to Tokyo,” said Fraser-Pryce in a post-race interview.
In the remainder of the interview, she expressed that there were several things she needed to work on to prepare for the competition in Tokyo. Race sharpness was the key component she mentioned, as she had only competed four times in 2025 before this weekend’s championship.
Despite not having many races under her belt, she is excited for the chance to continue her preparations and represent Jamaica this September.
Although Fraser-Pryce is known for contesting the 200-meter dash at her country’s championships, she’s opted not to race in it this year, following her decision not to do so last year as well.
During the 2024 season, the 10-time world champion hinted that it might be her final season. When she made it to Paris to compete in her final Olympic games, spectators were shocked to see her missing from the start line after qualifying for the semi-final of the 100-meter dash. Many were heartbroken as they thought they would never see Fraser-Pryce compete again.
There is still no official word on her decision to cut her time in Paris short. However, fans were elated to find out that she would compete during the 2025 season. Now, spectators will be able to give her a proper goodbye this fall.
The Legacy Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Leaves Behind
Day 3 – World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023
Fraser-Pryce is far from an ordinary legend. She holds three Olympic gold medals, four Olympic silver medals, and one Olympic bronze medal, totaling eight, which is the same number as her legendary countryman, Usain Bolt.
She also holds 10 World Athletics Championship titles and is the third-fastest woman of all time in the 100-meter dash, with a time of 10.60. In addition to her ability to dominate global championships, her capacity to push physical limitations is unmatched.
In 2022, Fraser-Pryce ran 10.62, 10.67, and 10.66 over three competitions in less than seven days. Now at 38 years old, the Olympic champion has run sub-11 seconds 87 times in her career. This statistic builds a strong case for naming her the greatest female sprinter of all time. The only other female sprinter in history to get close to this number of sub-11 second 100-meter dash’s is Merlene Ottey, with 67.
Most women sprinters retire between their late 20s and early 30s. However, there are a handful, like Ottey and Allyson Felix, who chose to defy the limits of age and dominate the sport well beyond when most athletes hang up their spikes. Ottey officially retired at 52 years old and made her final Olympic team at 44 years old.
Felix retired at 36 years old, completing her last race at the 2022 World Athletics Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Following a similar path now is Fraser-Pryce, who will be 38 years old at the time of her final World Athletics Outdoor Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Besides her athletic achievements, track and field fans love Fraser-Pryce for a variety of other reasons. One of them is her iconic hair choices. Over her career, the Olympic champion has become known for her distinctive and beautiful hair during major competitions. Fans who have noticed this about her often anticipate on social media the style she will wear. When revealed, many are in awe of the surprise she brings.
World Athletics Championships Oregon22 – Day Four
EUGENE, OREGON – JULY 18: Silver medalist Shericka More GETTY IMAGES FOR WORLD ATHLETICS
Fraser-Pryce is also known for her positive and radiating sportsmanship. She is often seen smiling and hugging competitors after races, displaying a large amount of energy in her post-race interviews, and being an overall encouragement to the athletes who hope to follow in her footsteps. She pours nothing but positive energy into track and field, which is why she is receiving so much of that love back during her last dance.
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