Triumph in Tokyo

TRIUMPH IN TOKYO 2025

late, during the 2022 series when all her race results were clocked between 10.60 and 10.70 seconds, three of them inside a week. The achievement is likely the absolute best season of sprinting ever achieved by a female athlete. WINDING DOWN – OR NOT JUST YET? Early in 2023, she was unable to again begin her season in Nairobi, but she was philosophical in her determination: “I still feel hungry; I’m still working. It’s amazing … For me, it’s getting up every morning and still feeling like there’s something I’m chasing – that it’s right there. I’m almost touching it and just need a little more push.” She had even announced a retirement once before, saying at 37 that she would call it quits after the 2024 Paris Olympics, and citing her need to spend more time with her husband and son. But the wording of the statement gave her room to only retire from the Olympics and examine the fire in her belly the following year. Then, a smart 10.94 at the Stadium in her 2025 season opener had the clear suggestion that all bets were off. Finally, with national trials again looming, she made it official and final. “It will be my final time gracing the National Stadium,” she said at a private Nike event in New Kingston on June 23, really meaning it this time. Over her career, she has become the very picture of belief and positivity, inspiring youngsters and supporting their dreams through her Pocket Rocket Foundation, “a nonprofit organization dedicated to fueling the futures of student athletes and their community members so they can soar to new heights”. There is every reason to believe it will continue its mission under her leadership. Shelly wore the national colours in Tokyo decades before, and is aware of the irony in which this great sports city serves as the bookends of the greatest women’s sprinting’s career. “Tokyo was where I started with my first senior championship,” she recalled perceptively.

Tokyo is where she’ll end it. Just as she became the darling of sprinting as the giddy kid wearing flowers in her hair and braces in her smile, she will close her career with the bearing of a stateswoman who has transcended her sport. History beckons, Shelly Ann. Prepare well. Whatever happens, congratulations – and three million thanks.

SAFP MEDAL CHART 2002-2025

Summer Olympic Games

EVENT 100M

YEAR 2008 2012 2016 2020 2012 2012 2016 2020

MEDAL GOLD GOLD BRONZE

SILVER SILVER SILVER SILVER GOLD

200M 4X100 RELAY

World Athletics Championships

EVENT 100M

YEAR 2009 2013 2015 2019 2022 2023 2013 2009 2013 2015 2019 2007 2011 2022 2023

MEDAL GOLD GOLD GOLD GOLD GOLD BRONZE

200M 4X100 RELAY

GOLD GOLD GOLD GOLD GOLD SILVER SILVER SILVER SILVER

Diamond League Trophies

100M 200M

2012, 2013, 2015, 2022

2013