‘It Would Have Been Nice’ – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Reveals Major Regret as Curtain Fall Nears on Illustrious Career

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has revealed a major career regret. (Credit: Imago)

i

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has revealed a major career regret. (Credit: Imago)

‘It Would Have Been Nice’ – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Reveals Major Regret as Curtain Fall Nears on Illustrious Career

Stephen Awino 14:22 - 03.06.2025

As she nears her twilight, sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has reflected on her biggest career regret.

As Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, one of the greatest sprinters in the history of athletics, approaches the twilight of her legendary career, she has taken a moment to reflect, not just on her many triumphs, but also on one lingering regret that has stayed with her since her high school days.

In a candid revelation, the Jamaican sprint queen opened up about a missed opportunity at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls' Championships, known as “Champs,” where she failed to medal in the Class One 100 meters.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

A Missed Opportunity at Champs

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has shed light on career regret.

“I would have to say Class One, 100 meters at Champs,” Fraser-Pryce admitted on one of her biggest regrets.

“That year, I think, I was very rebellious at training. I wasn't training as much as I should. I won Class Two the year before, and I remember coming to Champs thinking that, all right, because I have a goal with us, something I'm going to go on. And eventually, I came fourth.”

The eight-time Olympic medalist, who has long inspired countless young athletes with her grit and consistency, confessed that her underperformance was the result of poor training habits during her final year of high school.

Though she had already shown promise by medaling in earlier years, winning the Class Two 100 meters and finishing third in Class Three, Fraser-Pryce had hoped to close out her high school sprinting career with a final medal in Class One.

“It’s not fourth by far away, but ultimately, I believe if I really had trained and really put in some work, I would have at least gotten a medal," he recalled.

Sharing the Track with Legends

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has paid homage to Anneisha McLaughlin.

Reflecting on that defining race, Fraser-Pryce paid homage to her formidable competitor, Anneisha McLaughlin, who dominated the event that year.

“Anneisha is such a Champs icon,” she said.

“Because again, Anneisha is a 2-4 athlete. She rarely runs the 100s but she came all the way down to the 100s and she actually won it.”

For Fraser-Pryce, the race was more than just about podium finishes, it was about legacy.

“I think if I could relive that moment... I was leaving high school at that time, and I wanted to leave with a medal. You know, that's a big thing, to actually leave Champs with a medal. It would have been nice”

Now revered as a global athletics icon, with multiple Olympic and World Championship titles to her name, Fraser-Pryce’s reflections serve as a poignant reminder that even the greatest athletes carry with them moments of “what could have been.”

As her competitive days draw to a close, her story continues to inspire, not only through her victories, but also through the lessons she’s learned from her regrets.