Fraser-Pryce hails her ‘fantastic coach’

DOHA, Qatar:

Still beaming from her historic fourth 100m World title, Jamaican sprinting star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce hailed her coach, Stephen Francis, for his impact on her career while noting that she never expected the success she has enjoyed over the years.

Fraser-Pryce, who clocked the fastest time in the event in two years, 10.71 seconds, to win gold at the World Championships in Doha and return to the top of the podium after missing the 2017 World Championships because of pregnancy, gave full credit to Francis, who has been in charge of her conditioning for well over a decade.

“One of the things I have to give credit to, I have a fantastic coach. We don’t always get along, and we do have our journey and disputes and all of that, but I have to give credit where credit is due. He is a remarkable coach,” said Fraser-Pryce, who famously split with the coach after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro before returning to his MVP camp shortly afterwards.

“Sometimes he can definitely push your button, but I would not have traded this journey for anything else because he has been the man behind the work, and I trusted his programme, and I trusted him as a coach to get me back to where I needed to be, and I am glad that he was able to do that,” Fraser-Pryce added.

Thirteen years after putting her career in Francis’ hands, the 32-year-old now boasts a CV that is highlighted by six Olympic medals, 10 World Championships medals, and consensus that she is the greatest sprinter of all time.

It’s a career that she could not have imagined in her wildest dreams.

“Honestly, no. When I just started with Stephen Francis when I left high school in 2006 and I went to him, I did not know it was possible. A lot of persons, like, Jeffery Gordon and Michael Carr, used to tell me that I can do great things, but at the time, I wasn’t too sure. I didn’t know what I really wanted, and then I went to the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, and that’s where everything started. I came back home and really started to work hard, and here I am today,” Fraser-Pryce shared.

In 2007, Fraser-Pryce finished fifth at the National Senior Championships and ran a leg on the 4x100m relay team in the heats.

“It’s a remarkable feeling that after so many years, I am able to deliver time and time again. It speaks to my perseverance and my commitment to a task. Once I say I am going to do it, I am going to give it 100 per cent,” she shared before expressing gratitude to those who have supported her over the years.

“I am happy, and I could not have done it without my supporters, my sponsors, definitely Digicel and GraceKennedy and Nike; they continue to believe in me,” said Fraser-Pryce. “I would love to say, on behalf of my family and coaching staff and everybody, thank you for believing and being a part of the journey.”