Jamaica Gleaner

I want to be the greatest mother, says Fraser-Pryce

- Andre Lowe Sports Editors

She is a great on the track. Now, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is running towards another milestone: motherhood. Fraser-Pryce announced her pregnancy yesterday, and in true Fraser-Pryce fashion, she already knows what type of mother she wants to be: the greatest.

SUPERSTAR JAMAICAN sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is readying for an experience quite unlike any she has had before, but for her, the objective remains the same — be the greatest.

Shortly after announcing her pregnancy yesterday, FraserPryc­e admitted that she was looking forward to defending her 100m title at the upcoming World Championsh­ips but has now shifted that focus on becoming the greatest mother she can be.

Fraser-Pryce will miss the chance to add to her seven World Championsh­ips gold medals in London this Summer, but the 30 year-old who is regarded as one of the best female sprinters in the history of the sport, remains excited about embarking on this new chapter in her life.

Fraser-Pryce also took time to underline her gratitude for the outpouring of support she has received since making the big revelation.

The two-time Olympic champion took to social media yesterday morning to announce her pregnancy, which led to a flood of congratula­tory messages from scores of individual­s, including fellow athletes.

“All my focus heading into training for my 2017 season was on getting healthy and putting myself in the best possible fitness to successful­ly defend my title in London2017, but life is filled with many blessings with God, so here I am thinking about being the greatest mother I can be with my biggest blessing and the promise God made me,” Fraser-Pryce said in a note to her supporters, which she posted to her Facebook account.

So here I am thinking about being the greatest mother I can be with my biggest blessing and the promise God made me.

EYEING 2018 RETURN TO TRACK

The athlete also confirmed that she will be returning to the competitiv­e action next season.

“Moving forward on this journey, I look forward to seeing you all in 2018 when I return to competitio­n on the tracks and around the World. Thank you to my sponsors NIKE, GraceKenne­dy and Digicel for their unwavering support and a loyal fan base that’s willing to join and share in my journey,” Fraser-Pryce said.

Fraser-Pryce, who in 2011 married her long-time boyfriend, Jason Pryce, had earlier announced via Instagram that she was expecting.

“New chapter awaits, Hello Motherhood!!! See you soon ...”

The sprinter, who won a bronze medal in the 100m at last year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and anchored Jamaica to silver in the 4x100m, endured a tough season in 2016, where she was forced to overcome a serious toe injury that affected her all year.

She was also faced with off-track issues after it was announced by her long-time coach Stephen Francis that the athlete had decided to part ways with him before a controvers­ial U-turn was taken months later.

Fraser-Pryce will have some company as female track stars who are new mothers after fellow sprinting standouts Sherone Simpson and Brigitte Foster-Hylton gave birth last year.

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 ?? FILE ?? Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
FILE Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

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