Tue | Sep 17, 2024

Fraser-Pryce to receive Keys to City of Kingston

Published:Thursday | September 12, 2024 | 12:11 AM

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

OLYMPIC AND World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is set to receive the Keys to the City of Kingston, a prestigious honour granted by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

The decision to bestow this recognition on the sprint legend was approved during a recent KSAMC Council meeting in Kingston.

Widely regarded as one of Jamaica’s greatest athletes, Fraser-Pryce’s 22-year career in track and field includes stellar performances in the 60, 100, 200, and 4x100-metre events, earning her multiple medals and records.

Councillor Waynette Strachan, representing the Hagley Park division, introduced the resolution, highlighting Fraser-Pryce’s remarkable achievements and her impact beyond athletics.

“Honouring Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce with the Keys to Kingston is not only a tribute to her success on the track but a celebration of her role as an ambassador for Jamaica’s culture, a mentor, and a symbol of hope,” said Strachan.

“This recognition celebrates both her past accomplishments and the promise of her future contributions. Her journey is far from over, and she will undoubtedly continue to inspire and break barriers.”

Born in Waterhouse, St Andrew, Fraser-Pryce has remained deeply connected to her community and gives back through her charitable organisation, the Pocket Rocket Foundation.

Councillor Byron Lee Clarke of the Waterhouse division praised the athlete as a beacon of hope, stating that the honour is “more than deserving,” while Councillor Tosha Schwapp of the Stony Hill division called her a “Jamaican gem” cherished for her resilience.

Other councillors, including Dennis Gordon, Eugene Kelly, Andrew Harris, and Jermaine Hyatt, also contributed to the discussion, each lauding Fraser-Pryce’s contributions to Jamaica.

Receiving the Keys to the City of Kingston is the highest honour the KSAMC can bestow, and it is being conferred on Fraser-Pryce in recognition of her iconic career that has inspired fans both locally and globally.

Additionally, a road in the Waterhouse community will be named in her honour, further cementing her legacy in her home town.