The two-time Olympic 100m gold medallist was slated to begin her season at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on April 29, but withdrew citing a ‘family emergency’, the details of which remain a mystery. However, with the emergency hopefully behind her, the 36-year-old track and field star, said she keen on seeing where she is at this season.
“I am just looking forward to just competing well. I have not run since September last year and it’s a different year so you kind of want to see where you’re at as opposed to last year when I ran a 200m in Kingston before I came here; this time I didn’t run anything so this is me just coming to see where I’m at and having a good time and execute and I am sure it will be fantastic,” said Fraser-Pryce who ran a world-leading 10.67 at the 2022 edition.
Fraser-Pryce, who at 35 won her fifth world 100m title in Eugene, Oregon last summer to become the oldest female ever to win a global sprint title, said she believes she in great shape heading into the meet on Saturday but was quick to temper expectations on what she will deliver on Saturday.
“I am feeling good, to be honest, I’m feeling 21, which is good,” she joked, “but no two years are ever the same so you continue to work and trust that whatever things that you correct in training or things that you are working on that you would come and execute those things and it will all come together.
“But last year, it’s just to build on that, build on the experiences and the moments that I had last year into this year.”
On April 29th, Fraser-Pryce will open her season at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix before, two weeks later, returning to the meet where, last year, she opened her season with a blistering 10.67.
That race started a phenomenal season for the three-time Olympic champion which saw her produce a record seven times faster than 10.70 including 10.67 to win her fifth World 100m title in Eugene in July.
The three-time Olympic Champion is returning to the meet where, last season, she opened her season with a spectacular 10.67, signaling her intent to put together what turned out to be the best season of her illustrious career which included her fifth World 100m title as well as the Diamond League title.
“I’m coming back to Nairobi! I’ll be in Nairobi on May 13th for the Kip Keino Classic and I’ll be racing over the 100m,” Fraser-Pryce said in a post on Facebook.
“Last year was awesome. The stadium was filled with so much excitement and noise and it was so much fun. We’re going to rock that stadium like we did last year so make sure you get your tickets,” she added.
Sportsmax.TV reported earlier that reports from Kenya had indicated that the five-time world 100m champion and 2023 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year had suffered an injury in training and consequently withdrew from the meet.
The Jamaican track star has now confirmed the development on social media.
“Due to discomfort during my warm up, I am deeply disappointed that I will not be competing at the Jip Keino Classic and have departed Kenya to seek treatment,” she posted on Facebook.
“Special appreciation to the event organizers and the Kenyan community. Thank you for your prayers and continued support.”
Earlier reports said she has flown to Italy to seek specialized treatment.
This will be the second delay to the start of Fraser-Pryce’s season. In April, she announced her withdrawal from the Botswana Golden Grand Prix citing a “family emergency”.
The 36-year-old Jamaican was expected to open her season in the 100m at the meet where she ran a then world-leading 10.67s. She arrived in Kenya earlier this week after winning the 2023 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year Award on Monday.
However, according to Sports Brief, the three-time Olympic gold medallist suffered the injury while training and has left the country to seek specialized treatment in Italy.
Fraser-Pryce missed the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on April 29 citing a 'family emergency.'
