Tokyo, Japan – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, one of the greatest sprinters in track and field history, concluded her illustrious 17-year career with a silver medal in the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday. The Jamaican quartet, featuring Fraser-Pryce, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, and Jonielle Smith, clocked an impressive 41.79 seconds to secure second place, just 0.04 seconds behind the United States, who claimed gold with 41.75 seconds. Germany rounded out the podium with a time of 41.87 seconds.
Fraser-Pryce, who led off the relay, handed the baton to Tia Clayton, who passed it to her sister Tina Clayton, before Jonielle Smith anchored the team to a strong finish. The silver medal added to Jamaica’s tally of 10 medals at the Tokyo Championships, which included one gold, six silver, and three bronze.
The race marked the final chapter of Fraser-Pryce’s remarkable career, which boasts three Olympic gold medals, 10 world championship titles, and a total of 25 Olympic and world championship medals. Her performance in Tokyo ensured she signed off with one final podium finish, cementing her legacy as a track and field icon.
The United States’ victory was highlighted by Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who became only the second woman to achieve a world sprint treble, replicating Fraser-Pryce’s feat from the 2013 Moscow World Championships. Jefferson-Wooden added the relay gold to her 100m and 200m titles won earlier in Tokyo.
Jamaica’s track and field prowess was further celebrated with a silver medal in the women’s 4x400m relay, where the team delivered a season-best time of 3:19.25 in a fiercely competitive final. Prime Minister Andrew Holness praised the athletes, stating, “Congratulations to our women’s 4x400m relay team on winning silver at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. We celebrate our track queens for flying the flag high and making our nation proud!”
Fraser-Pryce’s farewell performance and Jamaica’s strong showing in Tokyo underscored the nation’s enduring legacy in global athletics, with the sprint legend leaving an indelible mark on the sport.