KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Track and field star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce says she is in good shape ahead of her campaign at this summer’s Rio Olympics but adds that she is not looking too far ahead as she prepares to begin her build-up to the global event.
The 29-year-old Jamaican is the two-time reigning Olympic 100 metres champion and will be gunning for a third title at the August 5-21 Olympiad, where she will once again be a heavy favourite to dominate the women’s sprints.
“I am feeling the same way I have always felt every year. I am working hard, staying committed, staying healthy,” Fraser-Pryce told the Jamaica Observer newspaper.
“Rio is a far way off right now, it’s just a day at a time for me. I try not to go too far ahead. If I take it a day at time and continue to work hard and stay grounded, I believe that when the time comes it will be wonderful.”
Fraser-Pryce is one of the most successful sprinters of the modern era. In addition to Olympic success, she has also won four individual World Championship gold, including sweeping both sprints at the Moscow Games three years ago.
She also won gold in the sprint replay in Moscow making her the first female to win individual sprint gold and relay gold at a World Championship.
Fraser-Pryce will be the first woman to win three consecutive 100 metres title if she is successful in Rio.
For all her achievements, however, Fraser-Pryce was quick to downplay suggestions of assuming legendary status.
“I have had a wonderful season, a wonderful journey so far and I wouldn’t trade anything for the lessons that I have learnt and the lessons that I will be learning coming this year and the year after,” she said.
“The legend, I don’t know right now. I am just grateful to be here and to accomplish what I have so far.”
