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Fraser-Pryce to conclude 'exciting' Diamond League season with 100m finale in Zurich on Thursday

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will be in Zurich this week after all.

The fastest woman in the world this year will be in a lane for the Diamond League 100m final on Thursday, September 8, when she faces Shericka Jackson the only woman to defeat her this year and compatriot Natasa Morrison. She is also expected to face the likes of Aleia Hobbs, Twanisha Terry and Sha'Carri Richardson of the USA, Majinga Kambundji of Switzerland, Marie Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast as well as Daryll Neita of Great Britain.

It was feared that the 35-year-old, five-time 100m world champion would not have been able to vie for a fifth Diamond League title after complaining of a tight hamstring that forced her to withdraw from Lausanne on August 26 and then finishing second to Jackson in Brussels on September 2, grimacing as she crossed the line in 10.74.

She intimated afterwards that she was unsure whether she would be competing in Zurich and had to listen to her body before making a decision. However, early Monday, she allayed those fears with a post on Facebook.

“The good news is you get to start a new week. Even better, you get to see another exciting race on Thursday,” she said.

“All roads lead to Zurich and I’m extremely grateful to be able to grace the track for this year’s Diamond League finale!”

This has been a history-making season for Fraser-Pryce, who seems to set a new standard each time she steps on the track. Not only did she win a record-extending fifth world 100m title in Oregon in July, she also became the only woman to run faster than 10.7 six times in a single season.

She ran 10.67 to open her season in Nairobi, Kenya on May 7, 10.67 at the Paris Diamond League meeting on June 18, and 10.67 to win the World Championships 100m final in Oregon on July 17.

She was only getting started. On August 6, she ran 10.66 in Poland and two days later, 10.67 in Hungary. She then went on to run 10.62 at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco on August 10, a third time under 10.7 in a week.