Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is one of the most decorated athletes in history, winning 10 gold, five silver, and one bronze medal. Nicknamed the “Pocket Rocket” for her petite stature and speed, Fraser-Pryce is the only sprinter to win five world titles in the 100 meters — in 2009, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022.
The Jamaican sprinter has made a lasting impact on the Olympic stage. Her incredible journey began at Beijing 2008, where she made history as the first woman from the Caribbean to win 100-meter gold. Four years later, at London 2012, she became just the third woman to successfully defend the 100-meter Olympic title.
At the peak of her career, Fraser-Pryce became a mother. In 2017, she found out she was pregnant and, overwhelmed with emotion, sat on her bed and cried. She had just returned from the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she won two medals. Facing the unknowns of motherhood, she had to rule out a return for the 2017 World Athletics Championships.
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Pregnancy, childbearing, and parenting can be life-altering, and getting back into shape afterward can be particularly challenging. Many women face significant adjustments, such as changing professions, cutting back on career ambitions, or becoming stay-at-home moms. Fraser-Pryce had her fears as well.
Her pregnancy was difficult. After giving birth to her son, Zion, a day after the women’s 100-meter final at the 2017 World Championships in London, her recovery from the cesarean delivery took longer than expected. She wrote on her Facebook page about how her focus had shifted from defending her title at the London 2017 World Athletics Championships to “being the greatest mother I can be.”
Yet, at the 2019 World Championships, Fraser-Pryce was back on the track. At age 32, she made history by becoming the first mother and the oldest woman to win the 100-meter sprint, a result she described as “a victory for motherhood.” Her win in 2019 made her the first mother in 24 years to claim a global 100-meter title. Her win again in 2022 at the age of 35 made her the oldest sprinter ever to become world champion.
Fraser-Pryce has proven beyond doubt that motherhood does not have to spell the end of a woman’s career. It is possible to combine a career with motherhood, even in a sport as physically and mentally demanding as athletics.
“The message I would love to send to mothers is that motherhood doesn’t diminish your capabilities or hide your gifts,” Fraser-Pryce said. “I hope you don’t hide who you are behind motherhood. It’s part of your journey, it’s who you are now, and you embrace it. It’s almost like an add-on to who you are as a woman. If anything, it enhances who you are. So be strong and believe that you too can accomplish great things. Things change, but you definitely can get to the top,” she said in an interview with Olympics.com.
“Being a mom and an athlete is a balancing act, but I enjoy it,” Fraser-Pryce posted on her Instagram.
The Jamaican, whose son continues to motivate her to greatness, has set a perfect example for many other women in sports and across all disciplines. The message is clear: Women can have the best of both worlds.
