"I stood on that same street with my head held high"- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce opens up about receiving major honor in Jamaica

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce expressed her thoughts about receiving a major honor in Jamaica in 2025 for her outstanding pursuits as an athlete. The road in which the Jamaican athlete grew up was renamed from Ashoka Road to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in recognition of her achievements in track and field on the global level.

Counselor Byron Clarke of the Waterhouse division shared how Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's incredible achievements on the track stand as an inspiration for the upcoming generation of athletes in Jamaica. Furthermore, he shared that Fraser-Pryce's contribution to the community with the help of her foundation is an embodiment of her passion for Jamaica.

The Olympic gold medalist spoke about receiving the honor in an interview with Marie Claire. She recalled her journey as an athlete and shared how she would walk on the street during her childhood days with her head low. However, over two decades later, Fraser-Pryce stood on the same street with pride alongside her family after receiving the honor.

“All of those years I’d walk that street at six o'clock in the morning, often with my head low. Sometimes I didn't have any breakfast. I was always quiet. That day, I stood on that same street with my head held high, alongside my son, my husband, and a whole host of my family," she said.

Moreover, just before the honor, the Jamaican athlete had donated $50,000 to her high school in an attempt to provide opportunities to underprivileged children.

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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on her final race in Jamaica

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 - Day Two - Source: Getty

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce shared that she would be competing in her final race in Jamaica at the National Trials in an attempt to seal a spot in the team for the upcoming World Athletics Championships later this year. She thanked the people of Jamaica for the unwavering support and encouragement throughout her career.

“When I stand on that track on Thursday, it's not for me, it's for you. For the love, for the support, for the encouragement, for the resilience, for the pride, for the purpose, and the passion that you have given me," she said.

Fraser-Pryce spoke about creating a long lasting impact and having a legecy while bidding goodbye to the sport. She urged the younger generation to believe in themselves and contribute to the society by having a 'giving' mindset.

“When we talk about impact, then we talk about legacy. Legacy and impact goes hand in hand. Because I want for this generation to understand that yes we want the government to show up. We want private sector to show up. But what about us? It starts with us. It starts with just us deciding that there's more to give," she added.

The Jamaican athlete dedicated her final performance in the Jamaican capital to the people of the country as well as everyone who played an important role in her career.