Emotional farewell from Kingston Stadium for sprints queen 'Pocket Rocket'
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 28.06.25. | 21:41
“We want her to know that all Jamaica loves her.”
Moments after securing a place in what will be her ninth World Championships appearances, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce bid the National Stadium in Kingston farewell in an emotional and elaborate event organised by Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).
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Racing on the Friday 27 June night, in her final national championship, on the track where her journey first began, she clocked 10.91 for third, enough to book a spot on Jamaica’s team to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 38-year-old, a double Olympic and six-time World champion in the individual sprint disciplines, was the first Caribbean woman to win 100m Olympic gold back in 2008 in Beijing.
“I am grateful to be able to be here tonight, finishing healthy, and to be on the team to Tokyo,” she said. “It has been a journey, and for Jamaica, we have so many athletes that can represent this country. I tried not to be too emotional and focus on my race."
She continued, "There’s a lot to work on, especially when it comes to race sharpness. I haven’t been racing much. It’s a long season. The first step, the first hurdle, has been cleared."
Her illustrious career was celebrated in an emotional on-track ceremony where she was presented with a custom painting by JAAA president Garth Gayle and a giant bouquet by JAAA Director Ian Forbes, in a gesture of gratitude for her two decades of service to Jamaica.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it has been over two decades that this young Wolmerian has treated us with so much joy, and we love her,” Gayle declared. “We want her to know that all Jamaica loves her.”
The legendary sprinter did not talk about medals or times. She talked about faith, purpose, and the power of dreams.
Jamaica 🇯🇲 celebrating Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was a moment!🥺
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) June 28, 2025
A true hero of Track & Field.pic.twitter.com/1I2g1nkhkI
“I am really grateful to be here. I want to give God all the glory tonight because it is His promises that we stand on and what we believe in,” she said. “This evening it was just about making the team for me. It is really about the celebration of this journey and what you guys have done for me. Your support, your love, your dedication and your commitment to years of service.”
Fraser-Pryce says this is not goodbye, at least not yet as she will be racing in Tokyo later in September.
“It has been a privilege and a real joy to represent this country. It has been my pleasure to be in this National Stadium for one last time. I remember the first time I ran in this stadium, I was in primary school, 1997, and tonight, just standing here for one last time, I hope I leave a legacy of inspiration to every single girl that’s here tonight who decides to dream and decides that they want more. The world is yours. Continue to chase your dreams and let no one take your dreams and hopes from you. God is good, all the time.”
Additional reporting by Sportsmax
