Sprinting legend Fraser-Pryce withdraws from Olympic 100m semi-final at Paris 2024
Jamaican sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has officially withdrawn from the highly anticipated 100m semi-final on Saturday, marking a poignant moment in her illustrious athletic career.
The 37-year-old, renowned as a five-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 100m, has decided to step back from the competition as she prepares for retirement.
Despite qualifying from her heat earlier in the day, Fraser-Pryce did not take her place on the starting line for the semi-finals, signaling the end of her Olympic journey in the event she has dominated throughout her career.
This competition is particularly significant for Fraser-Pryce as it represents her final appearance at the Olympic Games, a stage where she has left an indelible mark over the years.
Having already secured an impressive total of 24 global medals, Fraser-Pryce still has the opportunity to add to her accolades as part of Jamaica’s women’s 4x100m relay team, who clinched gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Her remarkable career has been characterized by resilience and excellence, and she was aiming to secure a spot on the Olympic podium for the fifth consecutive time. In Tokyo, she narrowly missed out on a third Olympic title when she was bested by her fellow countrywoman, Elaine Thompson-Herah.
Fraser-Pryce, known for her incredible speed and determination, holds the title of the third-fastest woman in history, with a personal best of 10.60 seconds.
Her decision to retire was announced earlier this year, concluding a remarkable 17-year journey that began at the 2007 World Championships, where she first showcased her talent as part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team.
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