‘I Admire That About Her’- Usain Bolt on 3 Things He Respects About Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has opened up about the deep admiration he holds for fellow Olympic great Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, highlighting the three traits that, in his view, make her one of the most remarkable athletes in track and field history.

Fraser-Pryce, who is actually agemates with Bolt, has raced at the highest level since 2007, and retired from the global stage after helping Jamaica clinch silver in the 4 x 100 meter relay at the Tokyo World Championships in 2007.

For context, Bolt retired at the age of 31 in 2017. Fraser-Pryce prolonged her career for another eight years.

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Speaking about the recently retired sprint queen, Bolt praised Fraser-Pryce’s longevity, resilience, and unshakable belief in herself, describing her as “a legend” whose impact on Jamaican athletics will last for generations.

“She’s a legend for me,” Bolt told World Athletics. “She’s done so much for the sport in general and for Jamaica. Honestly, she proved that I probably could have gone a little bit longer.”

Bolt admitted that he often teased Fraser-Pryce about her continued dominance well into her 30s, even after taking time off to start a family.

“I’ve said it to her — like, come on, why do you keep doing this?” he laughed. “But she keeps proving that she’s still at the top. She’s so resilient. She went away, had a child, came back, and won again. That, for me, is just incredible.”

For Bolt, the most powerful thing about Fraser-Pryce’s journey is the mental strength and faith she carries into everything she does.

“She shows that when you have strength and fortitude, and you truly believe in yourself, anything is possible,” he said. “That’s something I really admire about her.”

The world’s fastest man revealed he was present for Fraser-Pryce’s farewell race in Jamaica last June— a moment that mixed admiration with humor.

“I remember seeing her last race in Jamaica,” Bolt recalled. “I told her, ‘Listen, pack it up now and come hang out with me.’ But honestly, I’m just happy to see her finish on such a high. I’m proud, and I’m glad I got to be in the stadium to witness it.”

Fraser-Pryce, affectionately known as “The Pocket Rocket,” retires as one of the most decorated sprinters of all time, with 10 World Championship golds, three Olympic golds, and an enduring legacy built on hard work, humility, and heart.

For Bolt, that legacy is simple — a woman who never stopped believing, even when the odds said otherwise.