Many athletes were confronted2020 Tokyo OlympicsShelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was one of them. The 34-year-old 100m champion smashed world records in track and field, and helped secure the gold for team Jamaica who won the women’s 4x100m — proving that age doesn’t define a professional athlete’s performance because generally, as history has it, an athlete’s retirement is cemented by 30, if that.
REVOLT virtually caught up with the record-breaker to discuss the Olympics, how she’s using her platform to helped underprivileged youth in her country, and the legacy she wants to leave behind for the next generation of Black athletic performers. Read the chat here!
Honestly, it was just surviving, doing what I could each day to survive, and watching my mother doing everything she could to make sure that I was off to school. I didn’t miss a day because she believed that this was going to be the change. And she had to make sure that she did everything to ensure that food was on the table. It didn’t matter at that time what it was. It wasn’t fancy most days, but it did its job. When I saw that, I knew that I had to survive each day to get to where I need to be in life.
Somewhat. For me right now, it’s almost as if I saw my mom, when I was younger, making sure that she was doing everything she could to survive. I’m surviving, but I also have goals and dreams that I’m trying to achieve. Even though it comes with a different impact or odds that are against you, I’m still very committed. So, it’s different. It’s chasing those dreams and making sure I’m able to achieve the things that I set out for myself — even when others have something different for you or a different opinion of what you should be doing.
I’m definitely thriving for sure because it’s not easy as a woman to do what I’m doing right now at the level of which I’m doing it because for so long, a lot of times we are told that when we get to the age of 30, that’s the time you should step away and open the door to a new generation. But, why can’t you open the door for a new generation while doing your best or what you can to achieve your success?
It’s very exciting to compete for so long and finally see the day that women’s sprinting is at the height of heights. It’s something that’s talked about every day, and I’m so glad to be a part of that conversation and see women stepping up to the plate, and creating narratives of greatness.
There have been rumblings about your retirement in 2022. Is there any truth to that?
To be in this position and have this purpose, I believe it’s necessary for me to continue to show other women that they, too, can break barriers. I want them to have that vision, and when they look in the mirror, they can see if it’s not today, it can be tomorrow. They, too, can have that moment and have that time — even if it hasn’t happened yet. When it comes to female athletes and their careers, many of us decide to exit because people told us it’s time when you’re still at the height of your career. But, why not continue to show what you can give to the sport?
I’m very serious about community-building because I believe that a lot of raw, untouched gems are in our communities, but they need to be uprooted, polished, and sent out. I want to make sure that I’m continuing to invest in my community. I want to make sure that I’m providing resources and opportunities for them to take that step and to get to the next level.
How do you define success?
We all have our go-to songs. Right now, what’s on your playlist?
The Tokyo Olympics presented many issues regarding gender equality. Although strides have been made, what needs to happen in sports to become more inclusive and accepting?
I’m hoping that more companies can include women in their advertising and decision-making because it’s important to know what men think, but it’s even better to know what women think. Women are dominating in so many different fields that we deserve to have that platform. We deserve to be recognized. We deserve to have other women lead us. Even though we have made strides, there is still some way to go. I’m glad the conversation has started because we, as women, must put in double the time and the effort to succeed. A man doesn’t necessarily have to do as much. I’m hoping that will be a thing of the past.
Social media can fuel you to show up and get the job done knowing people are talking about you and following you on the journey, while it can feed you on a negative side, as well. Fans will have their favorites, and they ride for that individual while being negative to the competition. So, it’s up to you to keep your edge no matter how you are perceived. Some will like your energy, and some won’t.
