Bolt and Fraser-Pryce inspire the world

Sprint icons Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce are not only role models for the next generation of Jamaican sprinters. American Ronnie Baker and Marie-Josée Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast expressed their admiration for both sprinters in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 3.

Baker described Bolt's 2008 Olympic 100m world record victory as 'spectacular' and Ta Lou called Fraser-Pryce an inspiration for all athletes.

Asked to name his track and field heroes, Baker named 2007 100 and 200m world champion Tyson Gay, three-time individual Olympic champion Michael Johnson, and Bolt.

"It's funny, actually," Baker said. "Before I knew what was going on in track and field as far as really taking it seriously, back in middle school, I actually watched, I think it was the 2008 Olympic Games. I saw Usain Bolt run the world record, and at that time, I had no clue. I wasn't even paying attention to track at that time but I had witnessed something obviously spectacularly great, someone running at that time I think it was 9.69 [seconds]."

Then the 2018 World Indoor 60m bronze medal winner put Bolt's career in perspective.

"I think that Usain Bolt has definitely been someone as well just because of the greatness that he displayed while he was running," Baker said of the only man to win the Olympic 100-200m double three times. "It's kind of like someone to chase."

US-raised Jamaican sprinter Davonte Burnett had expressed a similar sentiment a week earlier. Born to a Jamaican father and a Haitian mother, Burnett said, "I had offers to run for Team USA, Haiti and, of course, I picked Jamaica because it's just like he's my inspiration."

In a flashback to his days watching the six-time individual Olympic champion, he reflected, "when I grow up, I just wanted to be like him so I had to pick Jamaica, following in his footsteps."

Speaking with reporters just before the Stockholm Diamond League meeting, the 32-year-old Ta Lou responded to questions about her form going into the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

"I'm doing really well in training so I just want to execute the way in competition and I know that good times will come, and seeing Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is also an inspiration for all the athletes, it's just letting the world know it's not about age, it's about what you can do."

Baker and Ta Lou had different fortunes in Stockholm. The American won the 100m in 10.03s. Ta Lou was overtaken near the end of the women's 200m by Jamaica's Shericka Jackson, who clocked 22.10s. Ta Lou crossed the line in 22.36s.

sports@gleanerjm.com