Fraser-Pryce’s season debut on hold again
Published:Saturday | May 13, 2023 | 12:30 AM
The start of five-time world 100m Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s 16th season has again been placed on hold but this time because of health reasons.
Fraser-Pryce was expected to begin her campaign in the 100 metres at today’s Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya. However, she pulled out of the meet yesterday after experiencing discomfort in her knee in training on Thursday. Fraser-Pryce arrived in Kenya on Wednesday in preparation for the meet after she was crowned Laureus Sportswoman of the Year.
According to meet director Barnabas Korir, Fraser-Pryce alerted event organisers to the injury and that the situation had deteriorated to a point that it needed immediate treatment.
“She raised genuine concern and explained that after aggravating the knee injury, she immediately called her doctor in Milan who could only be available for emergency treatment on Friday and that’s why we had to get the next available flight to Milan,” Korir said in a report in the Kenyan Standard yesterday.
Fraser-Pryce reportedly left Kenya yesterday to receive treatment and Korir while hoping that she would have been able to remain in Kenya as a guest for the meet, the doctor’s schedule resulted in her having to leave immediately.
Fraser-Pryce confirmed her withdrawal on social media yesterday and in an additional statement regretted that she would not be able to compete at the meet which started a memorable 2022 season. She began her 100m campaign with a 10.67-second win last year, the first of her seven sub-10.7 clockings which are the most for a female sprinter in a calendar year.
“Kenya was the beginning of something great last year and I am really disappointed in not being able to run here. I have always gotten so much love here and I know how much work went into the preparations,” Fraser-Pryce said. “ Thank you all for your continued support. I wish all of those competing the best of luck. See everyone on the track soon.”
It is the second time that Fraser-Pryce has had to delay her 2023 season debut as she pulled out of the Botswana Golden Grand Prix last month citing a family emergency. Last year she opened her season in Kingston before competing in Kenya.