Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce to retire after Paris Olympic Games, owes decision to family

Three time Olympic gold medalist over 100m Shelly Anne Fraser Pryce will retire from the sport after the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Jamaican sprint sensation in an interview with Essence.Com, said that her decision to retire wasn’t due to the restraints of age or the desire to stop racing, but that she was essentially forcing herself to spend more time with her family.

She said; “There’s not a day I’m getting up to go practice and I’m like, ‘I’m over this. My son needs me. My husband and I have been together since before I won in 2008. He has sacrificed for me. We’re a partnership, a team.

“And it’s because of that support that I’m able to do the things that I have been doing for all these years. And I think I now owe it to them to do something else.”

Having broken out as an underdog in winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics to become the first Caribbean woman to win gold in the 100 m, Fraser-Pryce went on to become one of the greatest and dominant sprinters in the world, not only scooping two more Olympic golds - in London and Tokyo in 2012 and 2020 respectively - but winning five world titles in the same event.

Competing in Paris, she said, will be solely about “pushing boundaries” and “showing people that you stop when you decide.”

“I want to finish on my own terms,” the 37 year old added.

The confirmation follows her Facebook post five months ago that pointed towards her imminent retirement.

She posted then saying: “H.E.L.L.O. Shelly-Ann is my name, running is my fame! I got Paris on my mind…..My 5th and final one for all time.

“Have you started your 2024 plans??? Stop waiting for a New Year!”

Shelly-Anne confirms Paris Games as her final Olympic track appearance

During the Paris 2024 Games, athletics events will take place between the 1st and the 11th of August.