Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has long been the face of Jamaican sprinting, but on Sunday in Guangzhou, the five-time world 100m champion made it clear: the baton is already being passed.

Running the second leg of Jamaica’s women’s 4x100m relay team, Fraser-Pryce played a crucial role in helping teammates —Natasha Morrison, Tina Clayton, and Shericka Jackson—secure bronze at the World Athletics Relays, ensuring Jamaica’s qualification for the World Championships in Tokyo this September.

But more than medals, it was mentorship and continuity that defined the moment for the 38-year-old sprint icon.

“It’s good to have the young athletes be part of the team and get the experience,” she told The Inside Lane UK after the race. “Because as time goes on, they’re going to be the ones carrying the legacy forward.”

For Fraser-Pryce, it was a full-circle moment. When she won her first Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008, Tina and Tia Clayton were just four years old. On Sunday, she lined up on the track beside them—not as a distant legend, but as a trusted teammate still contributing at the highest level.

“We’ve only been here a short time—it wasn’t a proper camp environment—but when I saw them, the energy was so positive,” she said. “They’re confident, they’re determined, and they’re committed.”

While speculation continues to grow that this may be Fraser-Pryce’s final season—she has yet to publicly confirm her retirement—her tone was one of reflection and gratitude, rather than farewell. Still, her remarks and presence in Guangzhou carried the weight of her legacy.

"Whatever happens next, Jamaica’s track and field is in good hands,” she affirmed.

The relay team’s third-place finish behind the USA and Great Britain was hard-earned and met the most important objective: booking a place in Tokyo. Though victory would have been welcome, Fraser-Pryce made it clear the qualification was the true prize.

“We have to give God thanks because that was the main objective,” she said. “Winning would have been the icing on the cake, but we’re really grateful to still stand on the podium and take home a bronze medal.”

Returning to China—the country where she first stunned the world as a 21-year-old Olympic champion—added further emotional depth to the occasion.

“China has a very special place in my heart,” she said. “That’s where I won my first Olympic gold medal, so coming back here, the reception has been fabulous.”

When asked to reflect on her mindset for the season ahead, Fraser-Pryce offered a simple yet powerful mantra:

“This year, my motto is: Not me, but God. It’s all about giving Him the glory. I believe it’s going to be a miraculous season, and I’m looking forward to all the wonderful things it has to offer,” she said.

Now at 38 years old and in the twilight of a career that has redefined greatness in sprinting, Fraser-Pryce remains as composed and committed as ever. But perhaps her most lasting contribution may not be the medals or world records—but the quiet confidence she now places in the next generation.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to still compete, and to have done it for so long,” she said. “I hope people can draw inspiration from my journey—on and off the track.”

And if Sunday in Guangzhou was any indication, her legacy isn’t just intact—it’s multiplying.