As news of her impending retirement continues to reverberate throughout the track and field community, two-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce continues to draw praise from some of the sport’s biggest stars.
The most recent to sing the Mommy Rocket’s praises were Olympic and World Champion Justin Gatlin and co-host Rodney Green on their Ready Set Go Podcast.
Since she won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, Fraser-Pryce has gone on to have one of the most dominating careers in track and field history. Her win in Beijing made her first Jamaican woman to win Olympic 100m gold. Her follow-up victory in 2012 made her only the third woman to win back-to-back Olympic titles joining other greats Wyoma Tyus and Gail Devers of the USA to accomplish the feat.
Winning the world 100 title in Berlin in 2009, saw her become the first woman to hold Olympic and World titles simultaneously, a feat she would accomplish twice after victories in London in 2012 and Moscow in 2013.
Feats such as these are why Green lamented her decision to hang up her spikes after what will be her fifth Olympic campaign in Paris this summer.
“Man, we ‘bout to lose a female juggernaut of our sport, man, a staple. I mean, I think in her country they should, I don't know if a statue would do or they should name a track or something, man. Man, we going to lose Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce this year, man, this is our last year around the world, you know, competing. What do you think about that?
(Jamaica unveiled a statue of Fraser-Pryce at Independence Park in Kingston in 2018.)
In response, Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic 100m champion and 2005 and 2017 World Champion, lauded the Jamaica superstar for her work on and off the track, stating, “Man, Shelly-Ann has been such an inspiration to the sport for so long. Watching her make her first Olympic team in 2008 and her dominance for so many years into the sport and watching her grow. She was out there in the world and watching her mature into the powerful, successful woman she is now, hat’s off to her. She deserves everything.”
Gatlin, who enjoyed a fierce rivalry against Fraser-Pryce’s contemporary, Usain Bolt, made reference to her fierce rivalry with compatriot Elaine Thompson-Herah and what it did to bring energy to the sport.
“We wish she could run many, many more years because she is the kind of person that rises to the occasion,” said Gatlin of the Jamaican who has only once failed to win a 100m medal in a global championship. That was in 2011 when she finished fourth in the 100m final in Daegu, South Korea.
Fraser-Pryce won 100m gold at the World Championships in 2007, 2009, 2013, 2019 and 2022. She was third at the most recent championships in Budapest, Hungary. She missed the 2017 championship because she was pregnant with her son Zyon.
“Watching her duke it out with Elaine (Thompson-Herah) throughout the years,” Gatlin continued, “they’d be seeing who would get to 10-7 first and then who would get to 10-6, and it made for pure entertainment because they both rose to the occasion.”
Green then chimed in clarifying that Fraser-Pryce not only battled with her Jamaican counterpart but also with the very best the USA had to offer.
“Elaine is just the recent one. She battled with many people that banged, like Carmelita Jeter. She went back and forth with Jet, man. She went back and forth with Veronica Campbell from her own country and the late great Tori (Bowie).”
Gatlin then said, “She battled every elite female in this era.”
“Juggernauts, 10-6, 10-7 women through time, man,” Green remarked. “Like she has been amazing to our sport, she has been graceful to our sport. She has been nothing but a class act and I just think she will definitely be missed.
“I think as she makes her rounds this year, around the world, farewell tour, every country she goes, win or loss, when she runs, they should let her do a lap man, because this is the last time we’re going to get to see an amazing athlete grace track and field; the Mommy Rocket. It’s sad to see her go but I understand why she has to go.”
In a recently published interview with Essence Magazine, the 37-year-old Fraser-Pryce explained that her decision to retire after the Olympic Games in Paris stems from her wanting to dedicate more time to her family.
“There’s not a day I’m getting up to go practise and I’m like, ‘I’m over this’,” she said. “My son needs me. My husband and I have been together since before I won in 2008. He has sacrificed for me.
“We’re a partnership, a team. And it’s because of that support that I’m able to do the things that I have been doing for all these years. And I think I now owe it to them to do something else.”
Gatlin said he understood her decision.
"She said she owes it to her family to do something else now, especially her husband said she's been competing from 2008.She's been married for some time now for her husband and her child too. She owes it to them to just do something else and that's very honorable. Absolutely.
"I mean, when you when you are an athlete of her stature, your time is limited because your focus is on your own success, because that's what got you to where you're at, and you try to kind of juggle or balance family time, personal life around your successful career but everything, everything in your life is kind of floating around track, so now it's like with her son becoming older and having more time to be able to be a wife and a mom that's important.”
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Ashoka Road to be renamed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in honour of sprint legend
Ashoka Road in Waterhouse, Kingston, is set to be renamed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in recognition of the track and field legend's incredible contributions to athletics and her community. The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) approved the renaming during its council meeting on Tuesday, October 8, held at the Marcus Garvey Council Chamber in downtown Kingston.
The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reported that Councillor Byron Clarke, who represents the Waterhouse Division, brought the resolution to the council, emphasizing that Fraser-Pryce’s achievements, both on and off the track, have had a transformative impact not only on Jamaica but also on the world stage.
Born and raised on Ashoka Road, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has become one of the most decorated athletes in history, boasting 10 World Championship titles and eight Olympic medals. She remains the only sprinter, male or female, to win five world titles in the 100 metres (2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022), a testament to her remarkable longevity and dominance in the sport.
Councillor Clarke praised Fraser-Pryce as an exemplary role model, noting her commitment to uplifting the Waterhouse community and her broader contributions through her charitable initiatives, including the Pocket Rocket Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships and grants to young athletes, helping to shape the next generation of Jamaican talent.
"Shelly-Ann is more than deserving of this honour," Councillor Clarke stated. "Her determination, commitment, resilience, and willingness to serve her country and community have made her a beacon of hope. Her true value transcends her accomplishments on the track, as she embodies the spirit of hard work, purpose, and passion for her country."
Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, echoed these sentiments and highlighted that further celebrations of Fraser-Pryce’s legacy are in the works. "Plans are under way to celebrate her incredible achievements," Mayor Swaby shared. He added that discussions have already begun with members of the Civic Committee, her alma mater Wolmer's Girls' School, and representatives from the Pocket Rocket Foundation.
The renaming of Ashoka Road as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive not only celebrates her record-breaking career but also honors her as a symbol of pride for Waterhouse and Jamaica. The new street name will serve as a constant reminder of what can be achieved through perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
This recognition is expected to inspire future generations, particularly young athletes, as Fraser-Pryce continues to uplift her community and inspire her country with her tireless efforts both on and off the track.
Yohan Blake honoured with Keys to the Region as he launches Butcher's Barrel Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale
World-renowned Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, the 2011 World 100m champion and double Olympic silver medalist, was awarded the prestigious Key to the Region on Wednesday, October 8, during the grand opening of his new restaurant, Butcher's Barrel, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Despite the looming threat of Hurricane Milton barreling toward the state, the event was a celebratory moment for Blake, who was honoured by city officials and members of South Florida’s Caribbean community for his outstanding contributions to both athletics and entrepreneurship.
The recognition ceremony, led by Tamarac Commissioner Marlon D. Bolton, saw the 34-year-old Blake receive the Keys to the Region, joining an esteemed list of previous honourees, including dancehall artist Spice, TV personality Miss Kitty, and reggae artist Ky-Mani Marley. Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis of Miramar and other local officials from the Caribbean diaspora were present to celebrate Blake’s new venture and his achievements as an athlete.
In an emotional speech, Blake expressed his deep gratitude, reflecting on his journey as one of the fastest men in history over the 100m and 200m distances.
"This brings tears to my eyes to recognize this moment. I have worked 20-odd years tirelessly, creating so much history around the world being one of the fastest men in the 100 and 200 plus the 4x100m, it is not an easy feat," Blake said. "To do something like this, just a simple award to recognize what we have been doing—I just want to thank you for this. It means a lot to me, from the bottom of my heart."
Blake’s illustrious career includes winning gold at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in the 100m, where he became the youngest 100m world champion ever, and earning silver medals in the 100m and 200m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, behind the legendary Usain Bolt. His personal bests of 9.75 seconds in the 100m and 19.44 seconds in the 200m remain the fastest times ever recorded to place second in Olympic history.
(Alexandra Davis Instagram)
Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis and Jamaican Olympian Yohan Blake at the launch of his Butcher's Barrel restaurant in Ft Lauderdale on Tuesday.
The Key to the Region initiative, developed in collaboration with Caribbean elected officials, honours individuals who have made significant contributions to the community through excellence in their respective fields. Blake, who has continuously supported charitable initiatives, particularly in Jamaica, now adds the entrepreneurial launch of Butcher’s Barrel to his list of achievements.
The Butcher’s Barrel restaurant in Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, is Blake’s latest venture, as he looks to expand his brand beyond the track. The launch attracted local leaders, including Lauderhill Commissioner Denise D. Grant, Sunrise Commissioner Mark Douglas, and Vice Mayor Alexandra Davis, who shared her pride in the Jamaican sprinter on social media.
"At the Butcher’s Barrel in Oakland Park as Yohan Blake opened his restaurant and received the Keys to the Region from local elected Caribbean officials," Davis wrote on Instagram. "Yohan is a Jamaican sprinter who won gold at the 2011 World Championships as the youngest 100m world champion ever, and silver in the 2012 Olympic Games. We wish him well in his new endeavor!"
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, Blake's success and recognition offer a bright moment of celebration and hope amid the challenging circumstances. His determination on and off the track continues to inspire many, and the opening of his restaurant marks a new chapter in his multifaceted career.
Blake’s legacy as a sprinter is solidified, but with the Butcher's Barrel, he is proving that his ambitions go far beyond athletics, bringing his passion and dedication to new ventures in the business world.
World U20 100m Champion Alana Reid named brand ambassador for Burger King Jamaica
World U20 100m Champion Alana Reid has secured a major off-track deal, becoming the latest brand ambassador for Burger King Jamaica. The deal, initially set for one year but with the potential for extension until 2028, sees Reid joining the fast-food giant in a partnership that includes public appearances and involvement in sports development initiatives.
Reid made her first official appearance as brand ambassador on Tuesday at the launch of the 2024 Burger King 5K and Relay at Jamaica College in Kingston. The event, slated for November 10, will see Reid actively engaging participants, including leading them through warm-up exercises before the race.
The young sprinter’s achievements on the global stage have made her a standout figure in Jamaican athletics. First, she was part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team that finished fifth at the Paris Olympic Games in August, and following that, she delivered a stellar performance at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru. Reid claimed two gold medals—first with an impressive 11.17-second finish in the 100m, leading a Caribbean 1-2-3 sweep alongside Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands and Kishawna Niles of Barbados. She later anchored Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team to another gold, cementing her place as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the region.
This partnership with Burger King not only highlights her rising star status but also represents a commitment from both Reid and the brand to inspire and nurture the next generation of Jamaican athletes. Reid’s involvement in events like the Burger King 5K and her upcoming clinics will provide valuable exposure and guidance to aspiring young sprinters, further solidifying her influence both on and off the track.
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