One of the greatest female sprinters of all time, Shelly-Ann “Mammy Rocket” Fraser-Pryce (37, Jamaica) will be competing in her fifth consecutive Olympic Games.

The Paris 2024 Games will be her “retirement showcase,” as she calls it.

Fraser-Pryce finished third in the women’s 100-meter final in 10.94 seconds at the Jamaica Athletics Trials for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday (Aug. 29).

A maximum of three athletes per country can compete in the women’s 100 meters at the Olympic Games in Paris who have run faster than the standard of 11.07 seconds.

Fraser-Pryce punched her ticket to Paris by 0.10 seconds over fourth-place Sashari Forbes, 28, who ran 11.04.

Sherica Jackson, 30, won the Jamaican trials in 10.84, with rookie Tia Clayton, 20, second in 10.90.

Fraser-Pryce is the most decorated female sprinter of all time with three gold, four silver and one bronze medals at the Olympics and 15 career medals (10 gold, four silver and one bronze) at the World Championships.

She has won four consecutive Olympic medals in the women’s 100 meters.

Fraser-Pryce made her Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008, winning in 10.78 seconds, and went on to win gold in London in 2012 in 10.75 seconds.

She won bronze (10.86) in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and silver (10.74) in Tokyo in 2021.

Fraser-Pryce also has the overwhelming support of her ‘moms’.

Fraser-Pryce gave birth to her son, Zion, in August 2017.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I cried and cried because I thought, ‘Is this the end of my career?

But Fraser-Pryce returned to the track and showed off the skills of a world-class sprinter.

Known as a “pocket rocket” for her explosive speed and diminutive 5-foot-2 frame, Fraser-Pryce became a post-baby “mommy rocket” and a symbol of the social possibilities of mothers.

Her best 100-meter time before giving birth was 10.70 seconds. After having her son, Fraser-Pryce lowered her personal best by 0.10 seconds (to 10.60).

After giving birth, Fraser-Pryce became an advocate for women in their mid-30s, especially those who have given birth.

After winning the women’s 100 meters at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Fraser-Pryce said, “Unfortunately, for various reasons, some of the female sprinters I used to run with have left the track. But I want to show that ‘women in their 30s can do it,’ like Allyson Phelps (who medaled at the Olympics and World Championships after giving birth),” she said, adding, “There is a tendency to ‘discard’ female athletes over 30, like some sports brands (who cut sponsorships when Phelps became pregnant). Luckily, I’ve shown that a mid-30s sprinter who gave birth can do it. I’m really happy about that,” she said proudly.

Fraser-Pryce also runs a charity called the Pocket Rocket Foundation, which supports student athletes.

“I owe it to my husband and son,” she said ahead of this season, “and he needs me. I still love athletics, but after Paris, I’m going to take a break from the track to spend time with my family.”

Some fans were concerned that Fraser-Pryce would not make the team for Jamaica and might retire before the Paris Games.

However, Fraser-Pryce punched her ticket to Paris with aplomb.

She’ll be making her final sprint in Paris, where she’ll be one of the most decorated athletes on the track and send a powerful message. 토토사이트