Fraser-Pryce says athletes need stronger backing from diaspora, local stakeholders

For Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, representing Jamaica was never a difficult choice. 

    Addressing the 11th biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay on Wednesday, Fraser-Pryce, in a panel discussion on Jamaica athletes,  stressed, however, that athletes  need more than patriotic pride to sustain their careers. The retired sprint star says the support she received from Jamaicans played a great part in her own rise to global stardom, and called for greater investment in athletes.
   “I consider myself a daughter of the soil, and the reason is the fact that where I am today is because of Jamaica and Jamaicans.  I have proudly stated many times that what gives me pride is the fact that, everything that I've accomplished, I have done so with Jamaicans,” said Fraser-Pryce, noting that representing Jamaica is about honouring those who have invested in her and the sporting infrastructure.

With eight Olympic and 17 World Championships medals to her name, Fraser-Pryce stated that the role of the diaspora in, for example,  the Penn Relays, is integral to the development of athletes in Jamaica.

“My first interaction with the diaspora would have to be the Penn Relays. We go and are all excited to be there, but how are the athletes fed, or taken care of? It’s because of the diaspora.

“It’s not hard for me to represent Jamaica, because Jamaica has given me a lot, and has given me the platform to really showcase the history of what we've been able to accomplish over the years,” added Fraser-Pryce.

As for life after professional competition, Fraser- Pryce said the discipline from training still carries her forward.

“As a professional athlete, the resilience and discipline you get from track and field,still carries forward into everything you do. It is about how you maintain an active life and are still blowing off steam and staying fit because health is wealth, “ Fraser-Pryce said.

Fraser- Pryce was seen in a video on Instagram at the National Stadium working out ahead of the Jamaica Senior Championships now on at the National Stadium.

The video sparked speculation as to whether the retired track star would be making a return. Jamaican icon, Usain Bolt commented on the video stating “Somebody don’t look retired”.

In response, Fraser-Pryce said “Okay I am speculating just like them,” when asked if she was coming out of retirement.

When  asked what can Jamaica do to retain athletes, Fraser-Pryce emphasised that while many athletes remain loyal, patriotism alone cannot offset the financial and personal challenges athletes face.

She argued that challenges such as  injuries, branding and family responsibilities require stronger backing from both the diaspora and local stakeholders.

“Athletes don't run away from things that they are benefiting from. I think, as a country, we have to understand that when athletes go to compete, you are talking about their families, themselves, injuries, and branding. You are talking about Olympic Games that only comes around every four years, World Championship that comes around every two years, and other sporting events during that time,” said Fraser-Pryce.

“There's nothing  else that fills us with more pride than when we represent our country, but that cannot be enough."

Fraser-Pryce maintained that athletes are more likely to remain committed to Jamaica when they feel supported and valued.

“You have athletes who are spending US$20,000 just on health issues, like flying out to go see an orthopaedic surgeon,” added Fraser-Pryce.

Türkiye has  been aggressively targeting elite field athletes from Jamaica, Kenya and elsewhere with financial incentives, training support and expedited citizenship in late 2024 and intensified early 2025.

However, World Athletics has blocked the four Jamaican elite field athletes who were seeking a switch of allegiance to Türkiye, ruling the move part of a coordinated recruitment strategy.

These athletes include Olympic discus gold medallist and record holder Roje Stona, Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell and under-20 triple jump world record holder Jaydon Hibbert.

A member of the diaspora, Debbie Jolly Jarrett, of  Jamaican Cultural Connection, Inc in Orlando, Florida said more needs to be done to assist Jamaican athletes.

“It is time to step up to the plate and help them more. I do believe we (diaspora and government) can do more," Jolly Jarrett said.