The last dance for Fraser-Pryce

Grateful. Blessed. Privileged.

Those were the words that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce used repeatedly as she made slow progress through the media mixed zone after her eighth and last 100m final at the World Athletics Championships.

For once, the woman widely regarded as the greatest female sprinter the world has seen wanted to take it slow – outside of those 11 seconds when she was in race mode. After 18 years as one of the world’s fastest women, the 38-year-old Jamaican was entitled to take her time.

“I felt the love, I felt the support,” she said. “To have that reception was truly wonderful.”

The woman once known as the ‘Pocket Rocket’, but more recently as ‘Mommy Rocket’ following the birth of her son Zyon in 2017, was determined to finish on a high note.

She accomplished that by reaching the 100m final in Tokyo, having the chance to say farewell to a sellout crowd of 60,000 people in the Japan National Stadium and millions more watching around the world.

That she finished sixth in her last individual race did not matter to the fans although, competitive to the end, the five-time world 100m champion was hoping for a better placing. 

However, 18 years of pushing her body to the limit gave her perspective on her career.

“Tonight, I am really grateful that I was able to stand on the track one more time in the 100m finals,” she said. “It has been such a privilege, an honour, and my greatest blessing to stand here tonight.

“I came into this championship with so many odds, but I made the final. And I think that is a huge accomplishment. I remember in 2007 when I started, I was unsure what I wanted to do, but I walked away with so much from the championship. This time around, I came with all those experiences from years of participating in the championships.”

Fraser-Pryce does not reach five feet tall (1.52m) but she overcame childhood disadvantage to become a giant of her sport. Her resume includes 10 gold medals, six silver medals and one bronze medal from nine editions of the World Championships and she boasts an unprecedented five 100m titles, from 2009, 2013, 2015, 2019 and 2022. 

Her Olympic record is also formidable – three gold medals and eight medals in total, including consecutive 100m titles in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.

Even Usain Bolt was feeling inadequate after watching Fraser-Pryce compete in Tokyo, and wondering if perhaps he had retired too early at 31.

“I’m just so impressed with her work rate,” he said, “and how long she’s been doing it – and the level she’s been doing it at.”

Reflections on a remarkable career

Video production by Herbert Thomas for World Athletics

Now Fraser-Pryce is vacating the scene, but she is confident that she has passed the baton to a new generation of Jamaican sprinters, exemplified by 21-year-old Tina Clayton, the two-time world U20 champion who broke through to win 100m silver in Tokyo.

“This is her first senior World Championships and she walks away with a silver medal, which is a huge accomplishment,” Fraser-Pryce said.

“One of my greatest blessings is seeing athletes who are inspired by me across generations. It has been a blessing to interact with those athletes, and I hope that there is something they can take from this journey.”

 Clayton idolised Fraser-Pryce as a girl and said it was “an honour” to be part of her last 100m race. 

“She was someone I looked up to when I grew up,” she said. “I always wanted to be like her one day. And this is like a dream come true. I have never imagined this race.”

Fraser-Pryce’s rivals raced to sing her praises after the 100m final. New world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden declared the Jamaican legend “the greatest of all time”.

“I am inspired by her,” she added. “Being able to run the 100m final with her felt special. I want to do what she has done – win multiple world medals. To be able to grace the stage with her on her last championship round, in her going-away party, is always a blessing and an honour.”

There was one more blessing to come for one of the most beloved athletes of the time.

Fraser-Pryce combined with Jonielle Smith and the Clayton twins, Tina and Tia – representing three generations of Jamaican sprinting – to win one last medal in the 4x100m relay on the final night of the championships.

The Jamaicans finished a close second to the US team, delivering a 17th and last medal for Fraser-Pryce despite persistent rain. Her smile lit up the night sky as she waved to the crowd one last time after the race.

Post-race interviews on the track had been reserved for winners in Tokyo, except for Fraser-Pryce who had the chance to say a last goodbye, and a final opportunity to stand on the podium.

“I have had an amazing career and today's medal is the icing on the cake,” she said.

“Today is a full circle moment for me. I was a reserve at my first World Championships in Japan (Osaka) in 2007. I am grateful for the medals, the stadiums and the crowds where I have competed throughout my career.”

The gratitude goes both ways.

Nicole Jeffery for World Athletics