Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has graced some of the biggest tracks around the world, but one of her first races ever was on Ashoka Road as a child. Now with it being renamed in her honour, the legendary sprinter is hoping to inspire the next generation from the Waterhouse community.

On Sunday, hundreds gathered along the near-600m roadway where the sprint legend was born and raised to witness its renaming to the Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive, a move carried out by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

It comes months after the multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medal winner was given the key to the city by Mayor Andrew Swaby.

The unveiling of the sign revealed an embarrassing misspelling of the iconic athlete’s last name, an error which the mayor vowed to correct before 10:00 am today. However, Fraser-Pryce says it doesn’t take away from the moment and the history involved.

“To know that a street that I’ve been running up and down on since I was a baby, a street that my mom, my grandmother, many before me were able to pass through and have their journey on, to see that the road will now be named Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive is truly a humbling moment and I’m really grateful for the support of community because it’s really the community who continues to pour into me and is responsible for the woman I am today,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Despite the presence of several dignitaries at the ceremony, none held the same importance of Fraser-Pryce’s son, Zyon.

She wants this to motivate him in his own quest for success. “Because he’s so young, and in the latter part of my career and what I’ve been able to do, he wouldn’t have known the magnitude of the story. Considering that he doesn’t live here and he’s not from here, but to know this is where his mom is from, this is where it began, this is the origin of his story as well because he’s a part of me and he will carry on that legacy and it’s truly fulfilling,” said Fraser-Pryce.

“I hope that when he’s older he’ll understand the significance of the renaming, and knowing this is where it started and ultimately he will be standing on history, he will be standing on hard work, dedication, commitment, and he’ll use that as a stepping stone for whatever it is he desires in the future.”

As a three-time Olympic gold medallist and a 10-time World Champion across the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, Fraser-Pryce is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Although it would be hard to follow in her footsteps, she’s optimistic the next generation of Waterhouse youth growing up on and around the Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive will reach their highest potential in whatever they do.

“Growing up, we never had a lot of motivation, we didn’t have a lot of role models and I think it’s important when we can continue to push forward the people that continue to have a huge impact in the communities. For me, being able to be part of this community and to have this naming, I’m hoping young girls and young boys from this community will feel inspired to change, inspired to work hard, inspired to just create change and be different and continue to evolve,” she said.

“Because that’s truly what it is, evolving despite our circumstances. I’m really trusting that there’s more for us and the future is brighter, so I’m hoping the young boys and girls will see this and understand they are important, greatness awaits them, and I’m really excited about what it means to look on the road and to say, ‘Yeah, Shelly-Ann did that!” Fraser-Pryce added.

Fraser-Pryce is gearing up for the National Senior Championships as she looks to qualify for the Tokyo World Championships in September.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (left) waves while being hugged by her son Zyon after the cutting of the ribbon to signify the renaming of Ashoka Road to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive in Kingston on Sunday. Looking on are Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby (second right) and Byron Clarke, councillor of the Waterhouse Divison. Garfield Robinson