'What's Right For Me' - Why Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Reveals Walked Away from Olympic Semifinal

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

'What's Right For Me' - Why Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Reveals Walked Away from Olympic Semifinal

Abigael Wafula 21:00 - 09.07.2025

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has decided to speak about her sudden withdrawal from the women's 100m semifinal at the Paris Olympic Games, revealing a deeper and more personal story.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has opened up about the Paris Olympic Games and why she decided to withdraw from the women’s 100m semifinal.

The Jamaican sprint queen cruised into the women’s 100m semifinal but was forced to withdraw from the event. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce crossed the finish line second in the heats, clocking 10.92 to finish second.

Following her withdrawal, there was speculation that she was injured, but she has since refuted those claims.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: Last Year Was Very Hard for Me

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in Doha Diamond League
Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

The 10-time world champion was ready to give her all at the Paris Olympic Games but was denied that chance, pointing out that she was out to give her all and had no fear.

However, when she arrived at the gate at Stade Annexe, the same gate she had entered the day before, she was denied access.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was not about to waste energy walking farther to another gate with a heavy bag. Instead, she waited patiently for at least 30 minutes as the entrance crew made calls, hoping she would eventually be allowed through.

During that time, a bus of athletes arrived from the Olympic Village, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce recalled feeling deeply humiliated.

At the time she got to the warmup track, something felt off, and she could sense it. During her final two reps, her body began to betray her, and she felt sharp muscle cramps grip her legs.

“Last year was very hard for me mentally and physically. I’ve always done it for the flag and showed up to do it for my country. But what happened in Paris was a ‘me’ decision,” Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce said as per Marie Claire.

“I was probably having a panic attack. I felt I could see it in front of me, and it was ripped. I’m a warrior; I’m a fighter. I love rising to the occasion. I wanted to do it for my country, but I had to ask, What's right for me?”

As the Paris Olympic Games women’s 100m semifinal was happening, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was making her way back to her family.

As Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce recounted the story, she shared a press release that softened her shoulders; however, it was not always that way.

“The last two years have been very difficult. The most painful. I felt abandoned, lost. I couldn't express myself to anyone. I went through so much grief and sadness. But I'm giving God thanks for the ways He showed up for me, nonetheless,” Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce read from one of the notes she had written during the difficult moment.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Olympic Games was not about physical injury; it was a deeply personal act of self-preservation.

After years of pushing through pain for Jamaica and her sport, Paris marked a moment where she chose herself.