Bolt says Shelly has a lot more to give
MARTHA BRAE, Trelawny — While the world’s fastest man is still cautious about the next generation of male sprinters, Usain Bolt is brimming with love for five-time World Championships individual gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as she continues to redefine female sprinting.
Bolt, who came through the junior ranks with Fraser-Pryce but walked away from the sport five years ago, said everytime the 35-year-old wins, it is a win for all of Jamaica.
“I am happy for Shelly [as] we came through the junior system together and we got to the senior level together, and so I am happy to see her accomplishing and doing great things — and when she wins, we win as Jamaicans. I am happy to see what she is doing,” said Bolt during a visit to his alma mater William Knibb Memorial High on Wednesday.
Bolt, who owns the world records in the men’s 100m (9.56) seconds and the 200m (19.19 seconds), said there was more to come from the “Mommy Rocket” as well.
“I know she is not finished [as] she has a lot left in the tank, because she is determined and we understand what it takes to work hard,” he told reporters.
Fraser-Pryce, who returned to training this week as she starts preparation to defend her 100m title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary next year, is coming off one of the greatest seasons ever for a sprinter — male or female.
Fraser-Pryce, who won her fifth World Championships title and fourth in the 100m at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon in July, ran the 100m in 10.70 seconds or faster eight times, with a season’s best 10.62 seconds.
The 35 year-old, who was also second in the 200m at the World Championships behind Shericka Jackson, lost only one 100m race to Jackson at the Diamond League in Belgium.
Bolt was less effusive, however, about the male sprinters with Oblique Seville finishing fourth in the men’s 100m at the World Championships and Ackeem Blake winning the men’s 100m at the NACAC Open held in The Bahamas in August.
“I thought I left it in good hands,” the former sprinter, who won 22 medals at the World Championships and Olympic Games, said of Jamaica’s male sprinting prospects. “But things happen at times — it’s sports.”
Of Seville, who is guided by Bolt’s former coach, Glen Mills, he said: “[He] is showing great improvements, it’s just about them getting serious.”
Bolt said the country was not short of the raw material.
“Jamaica has the talent — that’s not even a question. It’s just about the work ethic, and determination, and wanting to be champions, and going out there and do their best,” he ended.