Jamaican sprint legend Bertland Cameron has commented on the unexpected exits of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Rasheed Broadbell from the Elite Performance Track and Field Club, led by Reynaldo Walcott.
Fraser-Pryce, a founding member of the club, has ended her long association after helping establish it in 2016. The 37-year-old, known as the “queen of sprinting,” joined Elite Performance after parting ways with her longtime coach, Stephen Francis, and the MVP Track Club.
Her departure has ignited speculation regarding her future plans, although the eight-time Olympic medalist has yet to announce her next steps. Cameron expressed he wasn’t surprised by Fraser-Pryce’s choice: “With Shelly-Ann, she felt that it was time; she has done her best with coach Walcott and has decided that she wants to move on. That’s the queen of the sport, and she must know what is best for her. We just have to hope for the best for her,” he stated.
Fraser-Pryce’s exit comes after a remarkable period, during which she won back-to-back World Championship titles in the 100m in 2019 and 2022. However, it raises questions about her training plans as she prepares for a potential final Olympic appearance at the 2024 Paris Games.
Cameron, a veteran in Jamaican athletics, noted the frequent changes athletes make in pursuit of their goals: “We are in a professional world in sports, especially in Jamaica, and athletes are going to move on while others will stay because they want the major prize.”
Rasheed Broadbell, who recently earned a bronze medal in the 110m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has also left Elite Performance. At 24, he is expected to return to MVP Track Club, where he began his career before joining Elite Performance in 2021.
Cameron suggested that Broadbell’s move reflects his ambitions: “[Broadbell] has also done well for himself since joining Elite Performance from MVP Track Club a few years ago, so his return to MVP Track Club must be a personal choice. He has done very well since he has been with Walcott. He won a bronze medal at the Olympics, but maybe his expectations are higher, and he wants to try something else. We just have to hope for the best for these athletes, because it is their lives.”
Broadbell isn’t the only athlete moving back to MVP; Elaine Thompson-Herah, the double Olympic sprint champion from 2016 and 2020, has also reportedly rejoined the club after leaving Walcott’s program. Her decision indicates a significant shift among Jamaica’s elite athletes ahead of future competitions.
While Thompson-Herah’s return is in advanced negotiations, it’s unclear if other notable athletes from Elite Performance, like Rushell Clayton and Stacey-Ann Williams, will remain with Walcott or seek new coaching arrangements. Cameron emphasized the importance of athletes making choices that align with their career aspirations: “It’s their lives, and they have to do what is best for their careers.”
