Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has voiced unwavering confidence in the future of Jamaican track and field, insisting that the island nation’s sprinting legacy is in safe, capable hands.
The five-time world 100m champion was speaking at a pre-race press conference ahead of the Doha Diamond League , barely a week after anchoring Jamaica to a bronze medal in the women’s 4x100m event at the World Athletics Relays.
And despite her own fourth-place finish in the 100m in Doha, Fraser-Pryce had nothing but optimism for Jamaica’s next generation of sprint stars.
“We’re in Capable Hands”
When asked if there’s reason to be confident about the new wave of Jamaican sprinters, Fraser-Pryce didn’t hesitate.
“You have to be,” she said emphatically.
“If you talk about track and field and you talk about athletics in Jamaica and you see what we’ve been able to produce over the years, you know that we’re in capable hands.”
Jamaica’s revered high school athletics system, especially the annual Champs, actively produces sprint legends through intense training and fierce competition.
“You come to our high school championship, it’s so strict, it’s so rigorous,” Fraser-Pryce explained.
“The training, the competition… so you find that year after year we’re going to be producing great athletes coming out of high school.”
The Legacy of Role Models
Fraser-Pryce also emphasized the importance of visible role models in shaping the ambitions of young athletes. The next generation draws motivation to chase greatness after watching Usain Bolt, Veronica Campbell-Brown, and Fraser-Pryce dominate globally.
“They have seen athletes like us who continue to dominate, to persevere, to really show up and give our best. I think those scenarios help to encourage them to understand that they already have a platform. They already have the blueprint.”
Among the bright prospects Fraser-Pryce is keeping a keen eye on are the Clayton twins, Tia and Tina, who were only four years old when she famously claimed her first Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008. The pair have since grown into formidable sprinting forces, with Tia recently claiming victory over her sister and Fraser-Pryce in Doha.
“We hope they connect with the best coaches, the best management, and eventually reach that elite level,” she added.
A Future Worth Believing In
While she acknowledged that the transition from junior to professional ranks isn’t always seamless, Fraser-Pryce believes Jamaica’s system, combined with dedicated coaching and strong management, will continue to shape world-class athletes.
“They already know what we’re capable of. They already know we’re strong. They already know we’re fierce,” she said.
“They have all the ingredients they need to basically pick and choose whichever path they want and whoever they want to emulate.”
Citing numerous success stories from the high school ranks to the global stage, Fraser-Pryce concluded confidently.
“I’ve seen a lot of our athletes come year after year, and they have made the transition. So I don’t think we have anything to worry about in Jamaica.”
Even as her own Diamond League return wasn’t as fruitful as hoped, finishing fourth behind her compatriots, Fraser-Pryce remains steadfast in her belief that Jamaica’s sprint future is bright.
