‘They want to be like Shelly-Ann’
Forbes says impact of Fraser-Pryce legacy already on show
Published:Wednesday | September 24, 2025 | 12:10 AM
JAMAICA’S TEAM Manager to the Tokyo World Athletics Championships Ian Forbes has also joined the chorus of praise for sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as she called time on her Olympics and World Championships career.
Forbes, who returned to the island on Monday night, told The Gleaner that she is a consummate professional and role model and along with her exploits on the track, her role off the track will be missed.
“Shelly is an advocate, a superb athlete, a real legend, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). She has been a beacon. In the past 18 years, we had three pre-championship camps in Tottori, Japan, and we were reminded that it started in 2007. For Osaka, we camped at Tottori. Fast-forward to 2015 when the championship was in Beijing, we also camped in Tottori, and 2025, she was also in camp with us. And she not only came. It was not token representation. She has another World Championships silver medal and made it to the final of the 100 metres. So it shows her mettle, her stick-to-it-tiveness, dedication, and commitment to representing her country, and that speaks volumes.”
He maintained that her career would serve as an inspiration to younger athletes.
“I think it bodes well for the future. Our younger athletes learnt a lot from her, and they are emulating her. Of course, she is a hard act to follow, but they are determined that they want to be like Shelly-Ann. Her statistics are tremendous, but separate and apart from that, just her whole persona, her dedication and her commitment to not just working hard, but working smart. We will certainly miss her on the track, but I am pretty certain that in some way, shape, or form, she will still be involved in the sport.”