Track icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to wind down career with final national championships
NEW YORK - Jamaican track icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will compete in her final national championships when they kick off this week, the three-times Olympic gold medallist said, winding down one of athletics' most decorated careers.
The 10-times world gold medallist previously announced her comeback to the track for 2025, in what was widely expected to be her final year of competition, saying she had "unfinished business".
The 38-year-old told reporters at a Nike event on June 23 that the Jamaican national championships that start on June 26 would be her last.
'It's one of those moments that I am looking forward to. You know why? Because I have absolutely nothing to lose and all to gain,' said Fraser-Pryce, who won back-to-back 100 metres Olympic titles in 2008 and 2012.
The qualifying event for this year's World Championships that run from Sept 13-21 in Tokyo comes after a disappointing final Games in Paris, when she missed her 100m semi-final after sustaining an injury in the warm-up. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Cross-Country Skiing-German association calls for acquittal of Olympic champion Carl after positive test
German cross-country skier Victoria Carl has tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol, Germany's ski association (DSV) said on Wednesday, as they called for her acquittal saying there was no intention to deceive by the Olympic champion. Carl, who won gold in the team sprint and silver in the relay at the last Winter Olympics, tested positive in an out-of-competition doping control. The DSV say the substance was a component of a cough syrup prescribed by the German armed forces (Bundeswehr). The Bundeswehr explained that the wrong medicine was mistakenly delivered and the case was packed by untrained personnel. At the time of the acute illness, the Winter Military World Games, no alternative medicine was available. "From the point of view of the German Ski Association, this is an unfortunate isolated case that was caused by an unfortunate chain of organisational and medical circumstances," a DSV statement said. "But not by an intention of deception on the part of the athlete." The DSV is calling for a differentiated case-by-case examination, taking into account the medical emergency, the open communications of the athlete and the medical responsibility. "I was sick, had severe coughing fits and took the medication on doctor's orders," Carl said. "I disclosed everything. I wasn't aware that it contained a banned substance. I very much hope that the circumstances will be understood and assessed fairly." The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has started proceedings and both the DSV and the Bundeswehr say they hope for a complete acquittal. Even a short-term ban could amount to Carl missing next year's Milano-Cortina Olympic Games, which take place from February 6-22. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
From grid to peloton: MotoGP rider Espargaro set for pro cycling debut at 35
FILE PHOTO: MotoGP - Grand Prix of Qatar - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - March 9, 2024 Aprilia Racing's Aleix Espargaro celebrates after finishing third at the sprint race REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo Aleix Espargaro thought he had retired from Grand Prix racing last year but the 35-year-old is now leading a hectic double-life as he prepares to race a MotoGP bike this weekend before trading horsepower for pedal power at the Tour of Austria. The Spaniard hung up his leathers after two decades of Grand Prix racing last year but he had no plans of putting his feet up having joined Lidl-Trek earlier this year in an ambassadorial role while joining Honda as a test rider. But Espargaro now has to contend with a whirlwind schedule, set to climb aboard the factory Honda machine for this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix in Assen before swiftly pivoting to professional cycling just 10 days later. "I am really delighted to be able to help Honda and work with the factory team this weekend in Assen. Lots of riders dream of being in the factory Honda team," Espargaro said in a statement. "To be able to do this now is a real surprise and pleasure – even if it is temporary ... I have good memories at Assen and it will be very interesting to see the Honda there." Espargaro's unexpected return to racing comes as he fills in for Luca Marini, who remains sidelined after a testing crash in Japan. The appearance in Assen follows earlier wildcard rides at the Spanish and British Grands Prix. He will then swap his MotoGP leathers for the cycling jersey at the July 9-13 Tour of Austria, where he will be part of Lidl-Trek Future Racing, the team's development squad. Cycling has been Espargaro's passion for years after he hopped on the bike to stay in shape and recover from injury. He also befriended pro cyclists before participating in training camps with Lidl-Trek. "I've grown a lot as a cyclist and learned many things in these six months. I'm feeling good, and I really can't wait to race and test my legs against some of the best cyclists in the world," he said. "It will be a nice challenge, but I have no expectations for my cycling debut." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Carlos Sainz Sr decides not to stand for FIA president
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 20, 2025 Carlos Sainz Sr., the father of Williams' Carlos Sainz Jr. after the race REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo LONDON - Mohammed Ben Sulayem's chances of being re-elected unopposed as president of motor racing's world governing body increased on Wednesday when Spaniard Carlos Sainz Sr said he would not be standing for the FIA top job. The 63-year-old double world rally champion, four-times Dakar winner and father of the Williams Formula One driver of the same name, said in May he was considering running against the Emirati in the December election. The decision not to go ahead will allow him to compete again in the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia with Ford next January, something he said he did not want to miss. There is currently no other declared candidate beyond Ben Sulayem. "Hi everyone. This message is to publicly confirm that I have finally decided not to run for the presidency of the FIA in this year's election," Sainz said on X. "I have worked hard these past months to understand in depth the situation at the FIA and the demands and complexities that come with such an important project," he added. "After a thoughtful reflection, I have come to the conclusion that the present circumstances are not ideal to set the grounds for my candidacy." Sainz's son is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association and the older Spaniard has dismissed suggestions there would be a conflict of interest if he was elected FIA president. Sainz said his desire to serve and lead remained strong and he still believed the organisation needed to make some important changes, which he hoped would happen in years to come. Ben Sulayem, who confirmed in May that he would be standing for a second term, is a controversial figure who has had battles with teams and drivers in Formula One and rallying. He holds a strong hand in an election where regional loyalties come into play and recent statute changes have made it harder, according to critics, for potential rivals to stand against him. Presidential candidates are also required to stand with a slate of potential office-holders put forward for the various roles. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.