Latest news with #TeamJamaica
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Eight Time Olympic Medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Announces Retirement, Makes Final World Championship Team
EUGENE, OREGON - JULY 17: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Team Jamaica celebrates after winning gold the ... More Women's 100m Final on day three of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 at Hayward Field on July 17, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo byfor World Athletics) Track and field sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce confirmed on June 23rd that this would be her final year running before beginning her retirement at the conclusion of the season. On Friday, the eight-time Olympic medalist competed in the Jamaica National Stadium one last time. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Qualifies For Her Eighth World Championship Team In The 100-Meter Dash EUGENE, OREGON - JULY 17: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Team Jamaica celebrates after winning gold the ... More Women's 100m Final on day three of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 at Hayward Field on July 17, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by) Yesterday at the Jamaica National Stadium, Fraser-Pryce ran her final race on Jamaican soil. She ran 10.91 in the 100-meter dash, placing third behind newly crowned Jamaican national champion Tina Clayton and runner-up Shericka Jackson to qualify for her last World Athletics Outdoor Championship. Clayton and Jackson ran 10.81 and 10.88, respectively. 'I'm just grateful to be able to be here tonight finishing healthy and be on the team to Tokyo,' said Fraser-Pryce in a post-race interview. In the remainder of the interview, she expressed that there were several things she needed to work on to prepare for the competition in Tokyo. Race sharpness was the key component she mentioned, as she had only competed four times in 2025 before this weekend's championship. Despite not having many races under her belt, she is excited for the chance to continue her preparations and represent Jamaica this September. Although Fraser-Pryce is known for contesting the 200-meter dash at her country's championships, she's opted not to race in it this year, following her decision not to do so last year as well. During the 2024 season, the 10-time world champion hinted that it might be her final season. When she made it to Paris to compete in her final Olympic games, spectators were shocked to see her missing from the start line after qualifying for the semi-final of the 100-meter dash. Many were heartbroken as they thought they would never see Fraser-Pryce compete again. There is still no official word on her decision to cut her time in Paris short. However, fans were elated to find out that she would compete during the 2025 season. Now, spectators will be able to give her a proper goodbye this fall. The Legacy Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Leaves Behind BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - AUGUST 21: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Team Jamaica reacts after competing in the ... More Women's 100m Semi-Final during day three of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at National Athletics Centre on August 21, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by) Fraser-Pryce is far from an ordinary legend. She holds three Olympic gold medals, four Olympic silver medals, and one Olympic bronze medal, totaling eight, which is the same number as her legendary countryman, Usain Bolt. She also holds 10 World Athletics Championship titles and is the third-fastest woman of all time in the 100-meter dash, with a time of 10.60. In addition to her ability to dominate global championships, her capacity to push physical limitations is unmatched. In 2022, Fraser-Pryce ran 10.62, 10.67, and 10.66 over three competitions in less than seven days. Now at 38 years old, the Olympic champion has run sub-11 seconds 87 times in her career. This statistic builds a strong case for naming her the greatest female sprinter of all time. The only other female sprinter in history to get close to this number of sub-11 second 100-meter dash's is Merlene Ottey, with 67. Most women sprinters retire between their late 20s and early 30s. However, there are a handful, like Ottey and Allyson Felix, who chose to defy the limits of age and dominate the sport well beyond when most athletes hang up their spikes. Ottey officially retired at 52 years old and made her final Olympic team at 44 years old. Felix retired at 36 years old, completing her last race at the 2022 World Athletics Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Following a similar path now is Fraser-Pryce, who will be 38 years old at the time of her final World Athletics Outdoor Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Besides her athletic achievements, track and field fans love Fraser-Pryce for a variety of other reasons. One of them is her iconic hair choices. Over her career, the Olympic champion has become known for her distinctive and beautiful hair during major competitions. Fans who have noticed this about her often anticipate on social media the style she will wear. When revealed, many are in awe of the surprise she brings. EUGENE, OREGON - JULY 18: Silver medalist Shericka Jackson of Team Jamaica, gold medalist Shelly-Ann ... More Fraser-Pryce of Team Jamaica and bronze medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah of Team Jamaica pose during the medal ceremony for the Women's 100m Final on day four of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 at Hayward Field on July 18, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo byfor World Athletics) Fraser-Pryce is also known for her positive and radiating sportsmanship. She is often seen smiling and hugging competitors after races, displaying a large amount of energy in her post-race interviews, and being an overall encouragement to the athletes who hope to follow in her footsteps. She pours nothing but positive energy into track and field, which is why she is receiving so much of that love back during her last dance. Bolt spoke with Fraser-Pryce after she qualified for Tokyo yesterday. In a separate interview, Bolt reflected positively on her career and expressed his appreciation for the incredible competitive journey they had together. 'Shelly's just one of the greatest, hands down, she has proven over and over,' said Bolt. 'For me, the biggest thing is to have a child come back and just dominate shows the resilience…' Bolt and Fraser-Pryce won their first Olympic gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games. Although they ended their professional careers at different times, each athlete embodies what it truly means to conquer the sport of track and field. Jamaican track and field sprinters Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt (R) pose with their awards ... More after being named as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)'s best male and female World Athletes of the Year for 2013 on November 16, 2013 in Monaco at the IAAF gala. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images) Following in Fraser-Pryce's footsteps will be some amazing names. Notably, the Clayton twins, at just 20 years old, have already risen to the occasion. Tia Clayton was the only Jamaican woman to qualify for the 100-meter dash Olympic final in Paris, finishing seventh overall. Yesterday, Tina Clayton became the new Jamaican national champion in the 100-meter dash. Both sisters joined veterans Jackson and Fraser-Pryce as legs on the 4x100-meter relay at the World Athletics Relay Championships in China earlier this year. Together, these four took home a bronze medal. Despite leaving large shoes to fill in the track and field community, many are hopeful that someone will be willing to take on the challenge. Fraser-Pryce is a worldwide treasure that track and field fans will cherish forever, long after she takes her final steps on the track.
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Runs 400-Meter Hurdle World Lead In Miami At Grand Slam Track
USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone competes to win the women's 400m event during the Grand Slam Track ... More competition at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 6, 2025. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) Day two of Grand Slam Track was nothing less than exciting as some of the best athletes in the world lined up for another chance to win 100,000 dollars. According to the Grand Slam Track Instagram page, the Ansin Sports Complex in Miami was sold out. Fans from all across the country came out to see the likes of Olympic champions such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas. Here is a guide that recaps some of the major storylines from the second day of track's rapidly growing new competitive league. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - AUGUST 22: Ackera Nugent of Team Jamaica and Masai Russell of Team United States ... More compete in the Heat 1 of Women's 100m Hurdles Qualification during day four of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at National Athletics Centre on August 22, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo byfor World Athletics) Grand Slam Track started the weekend on fire as Olympic champion Masai Russell ran a new American record in the 100-meter hurdles. Russell clocked a time of 12.17 seconds, which is now also the second fastest time in world history. Not even a hair behind her was 60-meter hurdle American record holder Tia Jones. Jones ran 12.19 seconds, also under the previous world and American record of 12.20 run by Keni Harrison in 2016. Although many eyes were on Russell and Jones for their historical performances, world indoor bronze medalist Ackera Nugent placed third, running 12.34 seconds. When it comes to Grand Slam Track, athletes and spectators must pay close attention to where the competitors finish. Slam champions are determined based on who scores the most points between their two contested events. The higher an athlete places, the more points they get. Since Russell won, she earned 12 points. Jones placed second, earning her eight points. Nugent placed third, earning herself six points. Despite Nugent only placing third in the hurdles, she still had a chance to win the Slam depending on how Russell and Jones did in the 100-meter dash. Nugent was the favorite going into the 100-meter dash because she had the fastest personal best of the field, 11.09 seconds. She ran the hurdles and 100-meter dash in college and obtained several All-American accolades in each event. As many expected, the world indoor bronze medalist had a great start and easily pushed past her competitors. Nugent won the 100-meter dash and tied her personal best of 11.09 seconds. Russell placed fourth, running 11.40 seconds, while Jones placed sixth, running 11.50 seconds. Russell and Jones earned 5 and 3 points, respectively, making their overall point totals 17 and 11. Nugent's combined total came out to 18 points, earning her the title of Slam champion and 100,000 dollars. USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone competes to win the women's 400m event during the Grand Slam Track ... More competition at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 6, 2025. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone entered the Miami Grand Slam Track competition contesting the long hurdles. Although this wasn't McLaughlin-Levrone's most technically sound race, her ability to run 52.07 seconds speaks volumes about her incredible talent. The six-time world record holder will race the 400-meter dash this evening and is the clear favorite to win that race as well. Fans can expect to see McLaughlin-Levrone walk away with another 100 thousand dollars before the night is over. Since the first Grand Slam Track meet in Jamaica, many fans have expressed their desire to see McLaughlin-Levrone step outside of her comfort zone and experiment in different event groups in the Slams. The Olympic champion is versatile across many events and could give the best women of their respective events a run for their money. McLaughlin-Levrone holds person bests of 22.07, 48.74, 12.65, and 11.07w in the 200-meter dash, the 400-meter dash, the 100-meter hurdles, and the 100-meter dash, respectively. The 'w' denotes that her time was wind-aided. Spectators will have their dreams come true during the Philadelphia Grand Slam Track meet later this month. McLaughlin-Levrone confirmed that she will race in the short hurdles group. She mentioned McLaughlin-Levrone mentioned she was excited to run the short hurdles in Philadelphia later this month after being asked her thoughts on watching Russell break the American record. "It was amazing," said McLaughlin-Levrone. "It's a fast track, so I was really excited to run after watching them yesterday." In this interview, she speaks about the importance of doing different events and her joy in switching from the 400-meter hurdles. All the technical tools needed to be successful in these events could be great for continuing to elevate herself as an athlete and possibly breaking her world record in the 400-meter hurdles again. McLaughlin-Levrone will contest the long sprints in LA next month. USA's Melissa Jefferson reacts after winning the women's 100m event during the Grand Slam Track ... More competition at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, on April 5, 2025. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas was the first Grand Slam Track Racer to switch up their event group. In Jamaica, Thomas competed in the long sprint group. Thomas ran a world lead in the 200-meter dash at the time and earned herself a new personal best in the 400-meter dash. Thomas went down a level this weekend in Miami and decided to race in the short sprints. The Olympic champion is a versatile sprinter, making this one of the most exciting match-ups of the meet. In Jamaica, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won the 100-meter and 200-meter dash to become the first Slam champion in the short sprints. Thomas's better event is the 200-meter dash, while Jefferson-Wooden's is in the 100-meter dash. With each woman being one of the best in their respective events, this match-up would bring out the best in them. Jefferson-Wooden left nothing up to chance in the 100-meter dash, posting a time of 10.75 seconds to blow away the field. Thomas was fourth, running 10.97 seconds. Thomas is the fourth fastest woman of all time in the 200-meter dash, so she was the favorite going into yesterday's race. In a dominant and unsurprising fashion, the Olympic champion won and ran 21.95 seconds, lowering her previous world lead. Jefferson-Wooden placed third and ran 22.15, a new personal best for the Olympic bronze medalist. The race wasn't easy for either athlete, as Jefferson-Wooden is still learning to master the 200-meter dash, and Thomas typically prefers outside lanes due to her height and stride pattern. However, it is clear that both women fought hard despite the challenges they faced. Jefferson-Wooden finished the meet with 18 points, reclaiming her short sprint Slam title. Thomas scored 17 points and placed second overall. Jacory Patterson of the USA is competing in the 400 meters at the 2024 World Athletics Championships ... More at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Three-time world indoor medalist Jacory Patterson became one of the major highlights of the weekend after his stunning performance. Patterson ran 43.98 seconds in the 400-meters, now a new world lead and personal best for the University of Florida graduate. This opportunity to run as a challenger at Grand Slam meant more than most can imagine. Despite Patterson's accolades, he is currently unsponsored by a major shoe company. Patterson mentioned in his post-race interview that he works a full-time job at UPS in order to fund his track and field career. "I've got a job loading trucks at UPS right now," said Patterson. "I'm getting off at 4:00 a.m. every morning during weekdays. My goal was to come out here and make some money so I can go back home, focus on training, and not put my body through all of that." Although Patterson did not become the overall Slam champion for the long sprints, he placed second, earning him 50,000 dollars. In less than 48 hours, he made well over his yearly salary. Professional track and field athletes who do not have sponsorships pay out of pocket for everything necessary for success: travel for competitions, medical and recovery treatment, coaches' salaries, rent, groceries, and more. Some athletes have hailed this journey as "an expensive hobby" due to its stressful financial nature. Patterson isn't the only athlete facing this problem. Dylan Beard and Chris Robinson are currently going viral for similar situations. Up until recently, world and Olympic champion Chris Bailey and two-time world champion Trevor Bassitt were also unsponsored. Both have now been picked up by Nike and Adidas, respectively. Patterson trains in South Carolina under coach Tim Hall. Hall, currently head coach of the University of South Carolina track and field team, has coached many great athletes. He is most famously known for coaching the 60-meter world record holder and three-time world champion Christian Coleman for the majority of Coleman's career. He also coaches 300-meter American record holder and two-time world champion Abby Steiner. Patterson isn't the only one under Hall's wing. Hall's professional training group, Cique Elite, includes other high-accolade athletes such as two-time world champion Matthew Boling, Olympic and world champion Wadeline Jonathas, Olympic and world champion Quanera Hayes, Olympic bronze medalist Taylor Manson, and more. Based on his current progression, Patterson has a strong chance to make the world championship team later this season. The final day of Grand Slam Track in Miami starts today at 3:42 p.m. EST. Fans can stream the action on Peacock and The CW.
