After a successful four-year partnership, five-time 100m world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has decided to part ways with her coach, Reynaldo Walcott.
This news has surprised many in the athletics community, especially given their achievements together.
Fraser-Pryce’s decision reportedly stems from ongoing injury struggles and a strained relationship with Walcott. Jamaican journalist Richardo Chambers mentioned that she is “putting together a new coach unit,” although she hasn’t disclosed who her new coaching team will be.
At 37, Fraser-Pryce was a pivotal figure at the Elite Performance Track Club, which she co-founded with Walcott in early 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his guidance, she notably improved her personal best from 10.70 seconds to 10.60 seconds in the 100m. Her standout moment came in 2022 when she became the first woman to run under 10.7 seconds seven times in a season, clinching her fifth 100m world title in Eugene, Oregon.
However, injuries have since hindered her progress. In 2023, she finished third at the World Championships in Budapest, a decline from her previous dominance. Reports suggest a “frosty relationship” between Fraser-Pryce and Walcott developed during the 2024 season, complicating their continued collaboration.
Despite these challenges, Fraser-Pryce remains committed to competing, aiming for a strong finish to her career. Her recent withdrawal from the 2024 Olympic semifinals, just before racing against American Sha’Carri Richardson and St. Lucian Julien Alfred, was particularly disappointing for her supporters. Ian Kelly, head of the Jamaican team, stated that she suffered an injury during warm-ups, leading to her difficult decision to withdraw.
Fraser-Pryce first gained international recognition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning her first Olympic gold in the 100m with a time of 10.78 seconds. Sixteen years later, she remains a legendary figure in athletics, and her departure from Walcott marks another significant chapter in her illustrious career.
