Fraser-Pryce getting it right in 200m
Published:Saturday | April 27, 2013 | 12:00 AM
PENNSYLVANIA, USA:
Two-time Olympic 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is aiming for greater glory in the 200 metres this year after taking silver in the event at last year's London Olympics.
"This year is a little different for the 200m, I will be doing a lot more 200m," Fraser-Pryce, who is set to compete today on Jamaica's 4x100m team in the USA vs The World Championship of America race at Penn Relays, revealed yesterday.
"Next week when I go back home, I will be doing the 200m at the Jamaica Invitational and then I go to Doha to do another 200m. It is quite strange for me to do two 200m back to back, so I am going to be doing a lot more 200m and I believe I am stronger this season.
"I have been working on getting that 200m right because last year was very good; I got the silver medal, but at the same time it was very difficult for me after the 100m to actually pick myself back up and get out there and compete in the 200m. I was really drained ... but it was an experience that I think I learned from and I am just hoping to move forward from that."
At 26 and with two Olympic 100m titles, Fraser-Pryce remains hungry for more glory.
NEW YEAR, NEW FOCUS
"What keeps me grounded is the fact that when 2012 is finished, it is finished and it is 2013, so new year, new focus, and I start the year as if I have never won anything," Fraser-Pryce reasoned. "So I would consider myself a very hungry athlete whenever I am going to compete, whenever it is a new season."
Fraser-Pryce, who helped Jamaica to a silver medal in the 4x100m relays at last year's Olympics after the team had mishandled the baton four years prior and did not finish, is excited to take to the track in the event today.
Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart will join Fraser-Pryce from last year's team, but Veronica Campbell-Brown will be missing.
"Her (Campbell-Brown) absence will definitely affect us, as she is part of the relay team," Fraser-Pryce said. "It is up to our federation and coaching staff to decide if they want our best four runners to be at Penn ... they can ask them to come or require them to be here.
"I like the fact that as a relay team we get to compete with each other and gel, because most of our athletes are based overseas."