Bolt backing Fraser-Pryce to win third Olympic 100m crown

USAIN BOLT believes the only person that can stop his fellow Jamaican ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce from winning a third Olympic 100 metres title at the Tokyo Games is herself.

Only Bolt, at the last three Olympics, has previously managed the feat so Fraser-Pryce would become the first woman to bag a hattrick of 100m gold medals if she wins the final on July 31.

“I personally feel that Shelly is the only person who can lose this race,” Bolt told Reuters.

“I hope she doesn’t put too much pressure on herself going in because she’s in shape, she’s in form, all she has to do is go out there and execute and it shouldn’t be a problem.

“I’m looking forward to seeing her and I would be happy to share something like that, to win three Olympics with someone like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, as my countrywoman,” the retired sprinter added.

While Bolt won his trio of 100m golds at successive Games, Fraser-Pryce won the title at Beijing in 2008 and London 2012 but managed just a bronze behind compatriot Elaine Thompson-Herah and American Tori Bowie in Rio.

The diminuative Fraser-Pryce clocked the fastest 100m time in more than three decades in 10.63 seconds in Kingston on June 5. Bolt was not surprised to see her running so well at the age of 34.

“I can see that she adjusted her technique this season a lot and that’s what’s helping her to run so fast because now she’s a lot more fluent and upright in the last ending of her race,” he said.

Reigning champion Thompson-Herah remains the biggest threat to FraserPryce’s record bid, according to NBC analyst and former sprinter Ato Boldon.

“I don’t see anybody other than

Thompson-Herah or Fraser-Pryce winning the Olympic 100m,” the Trinidadian, who won four sprint medals at two Olympics, told Reuters.

Bolt, though, does not think a first Olympic gold in the half-lap event and a Tokyo sprint double for Fraser-Pryce is out of the question.

“I think the 200m is going to be a lot tougher after coming from the 100m,” he said.

“So for me, I believe in her and I can see the work and the talent, it shouldn’t be a problem as long as she’s focused and continues pushing forward.” – Reuters