by Stuart WeirStuart Weir wrote his second column on the Athletissima meeting 100m, which featured an athlete that he knows pretty well, Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce.
Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce is one of the finest women sprinters of all times. SAFP has won 20 global medals ( 8 Olympic medals, 12 World Outdoor medals and one 1 world indoor medal). At the age of 34, she has just run 10.60 for the 100m, her PB!
Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce wins Athletissima in 10.60 PB for the 100m, photo by Diamond League AG
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
I have been watching Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce since 2008. I have seen win medals in the 100 m in four Olympics. I have seen her in five world championships plus a good few Diamond Leagues and one Commonwealth Games. Lausanne 2021, I am told, was the 20th time she has run sub10.8.
Shelly and Elaine Thompson-Herah are in the middle of a sequence of epic races:
31 July Olympic final ETH 10.61, SAFP 10.74
21 August Pre ETH 10.54 SAFP 10.73
26 August Lausanne SAFP 10.60 ETH 10.64
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce warming up before the big 100m, photo by Diamond League AG
After the race Shelly told me:
“I was being patient with my phases which is a bit difficult for me. I don’t have the best technique as a sprinter so I have to be so deliberate to make sure I cement those phases. But I think tonight that made a difference.
“It was a very good field and I’m happy that I stuck to it. Every race is a race and it’s a different moment and you just have delivered these moments as they come. I was pleased that I was able to step up to the line, having that vision and trusting the process. I’m walking away with a PB and I’m seriously excited about that
“I definitely think I’ll be able to go under 10.60. The weather tonight was chilly but when the starter says ‘on your marks’ you totally forget about the weather. I am hoping as the season goes I will be able to put together more solid races”.
I believe they are due to run again in Paris on Saturday!
