Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce announces date for last race in Jamaica
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 25.06.25. | 13:50
Reflecting on her career, Fraser-Pryce thanked her home country for embracing her journey through triumph and challenge alike
Jamaican sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has announced that the 2025 Jamaica National Championships will mark her final appearance at Kingston’s National Stadium.
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The 38-year-old begins her farewell lap ahead of retirement at the end of the 2025 season. The championships are slated for Thursday, 26 to Friday, 27 June.
Speaking during an emotional tribute hosted by her long-time sponsor Nike at a Jamaican hotel on Monday, 23 June, Fraser-Pryce confirmed that her decorated track career is nearing its final stretch.
“In the next two days, it will be my final time gracing the National Stadium. Honestly, it’s one of those moments that I’m looking forward to… because I have absolutely nothing to lose and all to gain,” the three-time Olympic gold medalist said.
The reception was attended by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, GraceKennedy CEO Frank James, Nike executives, MVP Track Club President Bruce James, Wolmer’s Girls’ School Principal Colleen Montague, and members of her family, including her husband, Jason Pryce and their son Zyon.
Reflecting on her career, Fraser-Pryce thanked her home country for embracing her journey through triumph and challenge alike.
“I’ve always said that I’m the daughter of the soil. I am a proud Jamaican because you have shown me love in the ups, in the downs, and it is you who have helped to nurture me and give me that spirit of pride and unwavering support,” she said.
Even as she prepares to bow out, “Pocket Rocket” is not slowing down. She is using her global platform to champion an end to barefoot racing among Jamaica’s young athletes.
“There is no way we should still have kids running barefoot in this country. Not the Jamaica of world-class sprinters and athletes,” she said.
To address this, Fraser-Pryce unveiled a new grassroots partnership with Nike to provide proper footwear for every primary school athlete in Jamaica competing at the National Stadium.
“Nike and I have decided that it's at the grassroots level that we will have impact. It is my mandate to make sure that every single student at the primary level in this country will never run barefoot at the National Stadium,” she uttered.
She also paid heartfelt tribute to key figures in her life and career, but the most tender tribute of the night was reserved for her husband, Jason.
“I’ve never met someone comfortable with me just taking the stage and taking the lead. Jason, tonight is not just for me, it’s for you.
You’ve shown me grace, support, and love, and allowed me to continue the work I’ve been doing,” she offered.
She further insisted that her focus remains on purpose, empowerment, and legacy.
“This moment is not just for me, it’s for us. It is how we continue to shift and change the narrative around female or elite sprinting.
It’s about telling others that no one gets to tell you when or how or where, you get to show up on your own time, in your moment,” she concluded.
Fraser-Pryce’s journey to greatness began at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, where she earned her first global medal as part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team.
What followed was an era-defining career that yielded three Olympic gold medals, including back-to-back 100m titles in 2008 and 2012, a World Indoor 60m title, five 100m World Championships golds, and 10 World Championship medals overall.
She is also the third fastest woman of all time and has been named Jamaica’s Sportswoman of the Year multiple times.
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