TOKYO, Japan — In 2007, unknown and uncertain, 20-year-old Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce anchored Jamaica’s women’s 4x100m team at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan, in the heats after receiving the baton as a reserve — the rest is history.

Eighteen years later in Tokyo, the roles were reversed.

This time it was Fraser-Pryce who burst from the blocks on the opening leg before handing the baton — and the mantle — to the generation she helped to inspire, in what was her final race at the global championships ; a moment that carried a meaning far deeper than simple relay strategy.

When Fraser-Pryce placed the baton into the hand of young teammate Tia Clayton, it was a symbolic handover from one of the sport’s greatest icons to those charged with defending the island’s rich sprinting legacy.

“It was a very special moment for me…” Tia Clayton said. “It’s a great feeling knowing that this is her final lap and she handed over the baton to me. It’s a pretty great feeling, and she’s always a person who motivates us.”

The team of Fraser-Pryce, Tia and Tina Clayton, as well as Jonielle Smith ran an impressive race in the rain, clocking 41.79 seconds to finish behind the United States, 41.75, in a close finish as Germany, 41.87, took the bronze medal.

Smith, who, based on the evidence of her gap-closing anchor leg, is clearly returning to her best after a car accident derailed her career in 2019 was also honoured to share the stage with Fraser-Pryce on her swansong.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce waves to the crowd ahead of the start of the women’s 4x100m final during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday. (Garfield Robinson)

“I remember my first time going 11.0, it was because of Shelly-Ann,” Smith said. “I was super nervous; I was at the London Diamond League and she could sense it, and she just told me to relax and have fun, and I feel like every time I step on the track, even with her, whether she’s a competitor or a teammate, it’s just automatic, I always go back to it and I am so happy that we were able to finish with a medal for her.”

Meanwhile, Fraser-Pryce, who will be adding a 17th World Athletics Championships medal to what must be a packed trophy cabinet, said she was proud of the team’s effort and was thankful for the support received in Tokyo and throughout her career.

“I started in Japan 2007. I was actually the reserve on the 4x100m team and I anchored that team and we got a silver medal, and tonight, same. I started it tonight and to be able to hand over to our young upcoming superstars and queens is truly fantastic,” she said.

“To be able to give them the opportunity to go for gold, because, ultimately, that’s what I wanted to do. I really wanted to make sure I gave them a great start, because I knew we had a good team and they are contenders, and for me, we didn’t get the gold, but we got a silver medal from a brilliant run. We didn’t put any medal out there so we have to be grateful for what we accomplished.”

The last time Jamaica failed to medal in the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championships was in 2003. This was actually the country’s third-straight silver medal in the event.

“This is truly a wonderful feeling, and I would not be me if I didn’t say I give God all the glory, because I feel good,” added Fraser-Pryce, who also took time to thank the Jamaicans in Tokyo and around the world who have showered her with support throughout the championships and her career.

“Tonight the crowd, the Jamaicans that travelled so far to come and see us — see me, I feel special, I feel honoured to have been able to grace the track,” she said. “My husband said to me that sure things didn’t work out how I wanted it to in the 100m, but it has been a privilege to be able to finish my career in this way. I think for a lot of people they don’t understand the dedication and the work and also just following your own path and journey and trusting that.”

Fraser-Pryce’s legacy goes beyond the medals won and records set. It lives through the lives touched and athletes she inspired. Today and tomorrow they will carry the baton and create their own legacy — quite like the Pocket Rocket did almost two decades ago.

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From left: Jodean Williams, Jonielle Smith, Tina Clayton, Tia Clayton, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrate their silver medal during the presentation ceremony for the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday. (Garfield Robinson)